THE 






WARS OF AMERICA: 



OR A 



GENERAL HISTORY 



ALL THE IMPORTANT TRAGIC EVENTS 

THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN THE 

ri^ITED STATES OF ]\02£Tia AMERICA, 

SINCE THE DISCOVEHY OF THK WFSTKRN CONTINENT BY 
CUKlSTOl'HJiR (^ULUi\13US. 

■ • . (.An AvvieYic?in F>e ldici hj^ffS 

• BY A REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER. 



BALTI3I0RE : 

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED IJY HAZARD &, BLOOMER. 

1839. 






^1 



< 



PREFACE 



I have endeavored, in the following pages, to collect and transfer to the rising 
generation, the tragic events that have attended the progress of time,^ from th« 
first settlement of America, in the fifteenth century, by Columbus, to the present 
day — portraying, in detail, the various scenes attending the discovery, in a poeti- 
cal narration, illustrated in prose; moralized and brought home to the senses of 
all, from the aged to the youth — The painful hours, the sleepless nights, tha 
privations and sufferings, of fathers, mothers, and relatives, from 1600 to tha 
the closing scenes of our Revolution — The horrid evils attending a demoralizing 
.nd destructive state of war; the savage ferocity, not only of men termed civiliz- 
;d, but of savages, innured by custom and hardened by habit, to blood, carnage, 
leathj and destruction, in all their most awful forms — and to display at one view 
the whole deformity of tyranny, oppression, despotism, and all the dreadful evils 
attending ambitious frenzy in demagogues, that seemingly sport and feast them- 
selves upon the knovni miseries of mankind. Jnlius Caesar's ambition destroyed 
the physical nature of the man, and outweighs all his shining qualities as a philan- 
thropist and an heir to illustrious greatness, which, as a private member of socie- 
ty, he possessed. Also, Bonaparte, whose mind possessed all the principles of 
humanity, friendship, generosity, and disinterested benevolence, that was neces- 
sary, or that ever was given by indulgent Heaven, to constitute a character wor- 
thy the admiration of a gazing world. Washington possessed the same, which 
he displayed, on the field and in the cabinet, for the good of mankind and hi* 
country; and immortalized the man. Bonaparte used his gigantic abilities to 
aggrandize himself and family. Washington now sleeps near his ancient man- 
sion at Mount Vernon, surrounded by his grateful countrymen, loved for hig 
many virtues, and honored as a father to his country, as a liero, statesman, and phi- 
lanthropist. But where shall we find a developement of all those exalted talents, 
shining qualities, and transcendant ideas of masterly greatness, in a Bonaparte^ 
Alas! alas! on the field of carnage, amidst the roar of cannon, bursting of bombs, 
Tattling of muskets, sounding of trumpets, charges, retreat, disorder, and confu- 
sion; balls whistling, men dying, death advancing, and all the awfuls of eternity 
in full view. Sighs, groans, nor misery, could tame the demon of ambition, or 
induce the man to reflect. Year after year, his life rolled away; triumph after 
triumph, and victory after victory, urged him on. Europe trembled before him. 
The great battles of Wagram, Marengo, Axisterlitz, and of Lodi, but served to 
inflame his ambition. His Russian expedition commenced his downfall. The 
battle of Smolensh urged him forward to Borodino, 'where for the first time he 



VI PREFACE. 

experiencrd a check. The dcstruclion of Moscow drove him,, a fugitive, ta 
France, with the ruiu of his army. The battle of Leipsic seconded liis downfall, 
•and that of Waterloo, decided his fate. St. Helena records the remainder of the 
history of this giant of ambition. There rests the body of Bonaparte from the 
toils of war, far from country and home, on a small island in tiie midst of a 
roaring ocean, surrounded by his former enemies; and with him rests the wea- 
pons of death. The sound of war is hushed. Kow, (1835,) Europe, Asia, Alri- 
ca, and America, are enjoying a general peace. 

Those heroes of fame, who learn to conquer kingdoms and nations, will not 
learn to conquer Ijiemselves — saying at death, with the dying Frazer, "Ah, fatal 
ambition." 

A mind formed for the highest enjoyment of nature, exerts its enegies to be- 
friend nature and exalt its dignity; in aiding, supporting, and upholding the prin- 
ciple that nature requires for the general good of mankind, and acts the part of u 
philanthropist, under the great Master, tiie King of Heaven, 

1q endeavoring to form a just estimate on the immense display of Omnipotence 
around us, the mind is bewildered in its conceptions, and is at a loss where to 
begin, or where lo end its researches. The great objects of creation, displayed 
in the visible world above and around us, present all that is grand, noble, majes- 
tic, and sublime, to the contemplation of a human being, who has the least reflect, 
ing principle that can raise a mortal above the grade of beasts that stalk the 
earth, and reason not from what they see. We must, in the first place, endeavor 
to form a correct idea of the globe we inhabit; and this can be done only by anal- 
ogy from what we see of the works of Omnipotence about us. 

From a lofty eminence, we behold a landscape around us, to the distance of 
forty miles east, west, north, and soutli, forming a circumference of two hundred 
and fifty miles. Within this amphitheatre or circuit, the eye, unassisted, may 
range and view its variagated scenery. Of this display we can form some defi- 
nite idea — of the huge mountains, vast oceans, islands, seas and lakes, rolling 
rivers, deep vallies, extended plains, towns, cities, and villages. By this view 
bringing analogy to aid our reflections and reason, (which scenery seen as above 
comprehends only a 40,000 part of the earth's surface, we inhabit,) we can lorm 
something of a summary of the whole. 

Nature, in some countries, seems to have employed her lofty monuanents and 
grandeur, in a more romantic, splendid, and striking manner, than others. 

The grand display visible from the highest peak of St. Barnard, and the moun- 
tainous country of the Alp.s, in Switzerland; the stupendous range of the Andes, 
in South- America; of the summits of the Himmalyan r dgcs in India, M^here aru 
truly sublime huge rocks and I0II3' masses of earth, piled on piles, form immense 
pyramids of grandeur, projecting their summits beyond the regions of the clouds, 
and bid defiance to the shafts of lightning and the tremendous volleys of thunder 
tJiat have for thousands of years lashed their huge sides. Also the fury of volca- 
nic firos, that have gnawed their bowels, and belched smoke, flames, rocks, ashe.<!, 
and red hot lava, from their yawning craters and huge caverns; astonishing the 
nations with their tremendous roar and immense power; busting from their inac- 
►•fssible lops, and ^reading destniction, ruin, terror, and all theawfuls of nature'* 



PREFACE. ^** 

magazine of fury— streams of liquid fire flowing liko torrents down tlieir sideii„ 
and forming on the plains a sea of melted minerals, boiling and tumbling its red 
hot entrails into waves of conflicting billows, overwhelming cities, towns, and 
villages, till their rage is spent and the spirit of destruction rests from the tre- 
mendous engines of its wrath, devastation and horror, and sinks back into it« 
enormous gulf, disgorged of its charge and emptied of its combustible materials, 
and ready to receive a new magazine of bituminous fuel, to disgorge a second 
Trolley, when the Almighty sees fit to unchain this demon of wrath, commissioned 
lo set flames to this grand arsenal of ruin, stored with all the awfuls of eternity. 

Amidst these silent regions, the store-house of wrath and solitude, we cannot 
contemplate but with emotions of awe, reverence, adoration and astonishment, 
the enormous mass of variegated matter that lies around, beneath and rboveua. 
Here, oh man! pause and reflect how little mortals know. Thirteen hundred 
million times the bulk of matter contained in the solid contents of our earth, are 
in view to the unassisted eye, in a clear niglit ; and eighty tliousand times that a- 
mount are visible to sight, assisted by our best glasses. Without some knowledge 
(if the immensity of God's works, and an improving mind, What is man 1 He 
knows but little; he sees, hears, tastes, smells and feels, and here the series ends. 
For what use the senses were given, he never inquires : To satisfy the present, he 
is contented to lie amongst the rubbish, and die an ignoramus. 

But when he, on the other hand, improves his reason, instead of cnlv nature'.i 
instinct, considers himself an agent of God, a steward of his house hold, account- 
able for his actions, and dependent for all he possesses ; life is not his own, his 
property is not his own, his time is not his own ; commanded to obey, commanded 
to assist, to help, lo cherish, to improve,to befriend, love, feed, clothe, and ad- 
minister to the wants, the sufferings and calamities of the widow and orphan, the 
sick, maimed and helpless feeble mortals aroimd him. All this, God by his holy 
prophets, by his son, by his apostles, by society, friendship and relation, demands' 
of every member of his family; all within our reach, all we acknowledge our 
duty, all things plain and visible to ocular demonstration every day— yet, how 
few are ready to sell what they possess and give to the poor. 

"While before our eyes is displayed knowledge, combining all that is useful, 
grand and noble in mechanical powers, developing principle upon principle, to 
rouse the genius to action, teach the ignorant that without knowledge he must 
remain an ignoramus, and die as stupid as he was born. Wisdom is wanting to 
raise the active energies of the mind, soul and laculties, from the narrow range 
of the objects around us, to the vast illuminous display that art is unfolding. Pro- 
vidence displaying, moral influence over the mind daily teaching, ocular views 
demonstrating, and God's tender mercies over all his works, making visible, a.i 
man advances from a savage life, to that blest era whenM-ars shall cease, and all 
tlie tumultuous scenes that di&tuib peace and repose shall be laid aside. In a sav- 
age state, man is ignorant of Agriculture, Manufactures,Architecture, Naviga- 
tion, Geography, Astronomy, and the other Arts that depend upon mechanical 
computation ; he is exposed without a shelter to the howling storm, the burning 
sun, cold and heat of the rscasous of the year. He is unsble to traverse seas and 



^'11^ fri:fack. 

oceans, to visit other countries and other nalioDS of his follo\r-men— his living 
fn the desert, comfortl?s? as to a home, ignorant of most of the beauties of na- 
ture; the fertile soil over which he ranges, like his mind, lies uncultivated, cov- 
ered -n-ilh thorns, briars and thickets for the haunts of furious beasts of prey; his 
enjoyment is little superior to that of the tiger, bear, panther, lion or elephant, 
while his physical strength is much inferior to theirs. But M'hen the ingenuity 
of man demonstrates its energetic powers in the arts, the wilderness is subdued 
to fertile fields, the solitary places rejoice, and the desert is made to bloom like 
the rose. Citiesare founded, towns and villages rise to opulence, nature assumes 
a new face ; (till splendor and luxury step in to corrupt morals, and palaces and 
temples, forming a contrast against the rights of man are erected;) the hut and 
wigwam are exchanged for comfortable dwellings; ships, steam-boats and ves- 
sels arc built to traverse oceans, seas, lakes and rivers, conveying wealth from 
one country to another; the high-way of intelligence is opened to the most distant 
parts of the world— commerce flourishing, and machinery to aid labor progress- 
ing in all parts of the earth. 

That happy period foretold in Scripture is fast advancing. IMeans are contin- 
ually preparing to disarm the elements of terror. The shafts of lightning are 
arrested in their progress, and turned harmless to the earth. Navigation, by 
means of steam is rendered more safe than when vessels were propelled by wind, 
pressing a crowd of caurass, spread high in air, o'er the hull that floats the wa- 
tery main. And, when mankind awake to behold their own folly, and see the 
light of nature and revealed religion displaying ten thousand charms through 
earth, air, ocean, and the unbounded region of space, he must see his 6wn little- 
ness. The volume of the Universe unfolds daily its pages, through a Furgerson, 
a Herschel, a Newton, and other celebrated astronomers of the present age. — 
And when the renowned sages of the world, turn their attention from that bane- 
ful monster, War, that has traversed earth like a devouring pestilence, training 
his thousand to the use of the musket, sword, spear, and all the infernal weapons 
of war, for above 5000 years, to the mild and peaceable employment of the ad- 
vancement of knowledge, wisdom, and useful intelligence, he will be happ)' in 
his terrestrial enjoyment, and not till then. The works of nature are a vast vari- 
rXj, a rich fund in every region of the surface of the globe — an almost endles.* 
summary of objects, difi" ring in their various sluipcs, colors, disposition and hab- 
its. Fancy cannot paint lier imaginations equal to the scenes of wonder, visible 
to the reasoning miud, assisted by nature to learn himself, and gather knowledge 
trom what he sees. 

Assisted b\' past discoveries, he has his own talents to develope their princi- 
ples, and make farther advancements on what has already been hinted in new 
discoveries, which now lies enveloped in ignorance. A just and true sense of the 
evils attending on oppression, and all the pangs of slavery, hurry the imagination 
into a belief that it has been practiced long enough, and too long for the general 
;,'ood of mankind, and ought to br held in detestation, from the King on his 
ihion?; to the must degraded and self-debated wretch, who hires himself to some 



PREFACE. IX 

rich nabob, (v/ho lives on the earnings of others,) a'i a slave or negro driver.— 
When we look through the pages of ancient anil modern history, and nations, 
and examine that the benefits resulting from bondage are few in comparison to 
the evils resulting from slavery— all are ready to say it ought to be abolished. 
How long have mankind groaned under acts of despotism and tyranny, when that . 
very name is hated and despised by its authors. Monsters of cruelty stalking the 
earth with impunity, like the dragons of old, are dwindling in size to mere liz- 
ards. Ambition, seemingly, has changed its views. Blood, carnage, death, 
slaughter and conquest, have lost their ancient renown. An Alexander, a Sylla, 
a Cataline, a Julius Caasar, a Mohammed, a Cromwell, a Charles the 12th, a Bona- 
parte, and a thousand more, who have waded through rivers of blooJ, s:een the 
destruction of hundreds of thousands, spreading misery like a flood, over nations, 
kingdoms and countries, whose nod was the signal for battle, whose command 
ignorance stoeJd ready to obey, and whose courage has been extolled as highly 
meritorious Such applause none now desire but mad men, and none want but 
fools. A new era has, seemingly, shut the doors of Janus. Exalted ment, 
humanity, benevolence, friendship, generosity, and every other ornament that 
can adorn Imman nature, and wipe off the hateiul stain of vice, are all that is 
meritorious at the present day. Vice must die, evil must expire, battle's honor 
must end, all ambition that is earthly must be despised, and every act of op- 
pression must be trampled in the dust, its memory obliterated, lost, gone, and 
forever silenced. Virtue must rise triumphant over bondage, having subdued and 
brought the IMannnon of unrigiiteousness, willi all his works, to nought; and on 
the ruins o( his kmgdom croctcd monuments to virtuous fame, recording illustri- 
ous characters, both ancient and modern, who spent tlieir lives in illuminating 
the charms of friendship, love, hafmony, peace, benevolence; and in a word, all 
that Deity demands to make earth a heaven, and our sublunary situation here a 
fit habitation lor angels. All that is wanting to complete consummate happiness 
here on earth, are the virtues adorning the cliaracterof a Homer, a Titus, a Solon, 
a Socrates, an Acastor, (a certain cardinal named the patron of the poor,) a Cyrus 
a Hiero, a Celon, a Ptolemy, a Pliney, an Alfred, a Lady Burleigii, a Boyle, a 
Scipio, a Howard, a La f'ayette, a Washington, n Franklin, and thousands of otiiers 
who have devoted their time, money and lives to befriend and assist suffering hu- 
manity. Many, very many, at the present day, through Europe and America, 
are ardently engaged in this meritorious and interesting reform; and may it spread 
from heart to heart, like sunbeams in the morning, enlightening the east till the 
west is all in a blaze with its radiance. Generous reader, wiiai can impart such 
sympatliy of feelings, suc'.i awakening emotions, such affection, love, venera- 
tion and friendship, as the detailed, account of ancient and modern worthies. — 
A Luclinus Lucinus, who saved Brutus from captivity on the plains of Phillippi 
by delivering himself to ids enemy, saying, I am Brutus; Damon and Pythias, 
facing the stern features of death, undaunted at the boasting bragadoes of the 
tyrant Dionysius. St. Pierre, his son, and four associates, whoso self devoted- 
ness at the siege of Calais immortalized their names on tlio rolls of living fame. 
A Pocahontus, whose generous soul raidicd her the foremost of earth's princesses. 

2 



X pRi-.FAcr:, 

Shiloucc, an Indiau cliief wliose friendship for Col. ISjrJ while a prisoner ■among 
the Cherokecs, wliose determination to meet deatli from the hands of Byrd's ex- 
ecutioners before they should kiil the Colonel, enrols iiis name (altiiough tbo 
untutored mind of a savage appeared in liis habits) amongst earth's worthiest 
fions. These and a numerous list of otliers, wlien grim death stared them in the- 
face, stepped in between the monster and his victim and warded off the intended 
blow by their virtues — remember that to suppliajit virtue, nothing is denied even, 
by savages, — calmed the demon of destruction by their courage, and transferred 
to future generations a name glowing witli more beauty, generosity and true na- 
tive greatness, than ever adorned the archives and historic pages of all the heroes 
from the time of Nimrod down to the present day. 

Tlie book of nature is always spread belbre us. Asleep or awake, tiie imagin- 
ation wauls employment. We maj' study the magazine of the universe and 
admire; we may leara and adore; we may see, and our thoughts are lost in 
wonder; we maj^ searcli for more, and are sure to find; not only now, but forever, 
an extent beyond all human calculation, mocking the sagacious inquiry of the 
sage, philosopher and divine, lies open to extended vision, but wants a God to 
comprehend it. Tiieair, the sea, the rivers, the mountains, the rocks, the cav- 
erns, the volcanoes, the earthquakes, the thunder storms, the animated and 
vegetable tribes, are all fraught with instructive wonder and wisdom, iar exceed- 
ing our limited reason and most enlightened comprehension. We may well 
exclaim, "Adorable Creator 1 with what art hast thou fonned us ! Though the 
iieavens did not exist to proclaim tiiy glory; though there were no being but 
myself on earth; my body might suHice to convinco me that thou art a God of 
unlimited power, and infinite mercy and goodness." A celebrated writer says, 
''I first endeavored from God's works to know myself, and after^vards, by the 
same means, to teach him to others." "In God we live, move, and have our 
being." When a single pin of the whole machine within ue, over which we 
have not the least control, is either broken or deranged, a thousand movements 
might be int3rrupte(i, and our bodies left to moulder into the dust. 

Could I, by writing and exhorting my fellow travelers to eternity, arouse their 
minds from that stupid lethargy that bewilders their senses and reason, and hangf 
like a heavy cloud over the minds of many, too many, in our enlightened country; 
J should consider the task not only agreeable but delightful; not only as delight- 
ful, but iiighly pleasing to sense, as a member o( Jehovah's family, and a devoted 
well wisher to the cause of virtue and the honor of the christian religion; to 
suffering humanity; to general reform from all the abuses of power, combined 
with superstition and bigotrj*. 

To manage such a task, requires the address, perseverance end b»ldness of a 
Lycurgus, a Demosthenes, a Cato, a Solon, a Washmgton, a Franklin, a La 
Fayette, and those whose energetic measures are displayed for the general good 
of mankind. Appeal made to reason, founded on just and virtuous rights, is bI. 
nayshean'. \o appeal to sympathy, but what finds a ready support; as Crfn. 
"t. ilson told flic alliof, iu case of l.n \elleltp. m Paris, "no appeal," $h'h] he. 



PREFACE. II 

■'■^8 ever made to British honor and generosity in vain." The young mind in search 
of knowledge, only wants an aid to forward its researches, while all the powers 
of preaching, eloquence, oratory, exhortations and emphatic addresses are totally 
insufficient to arouse ignorance and sloth to the pleasing sensations- and virtuous 
survey of the beauties adorning, enlivening, enriching and displaying the worka 
of nature, the powers of God and the glories of liis kingdom around us. 

Ambition, superstition and bigotry can only gain ground when addressed to igno- 
rance and those dupes ot slavery who are too slothful to inquire the dilFerence 
between truth and error, virtue and vice, falsehood and veracity, calumny and an 
honest, frank and generous principle of self esteem, manliness of character 
and the innate rights given by nature's God to nature's children. Intelligence 
will pull down the strong holds of his satanic majesty, bred amongst the heathen, 
handed down to posterity by idolatry, cherished and believed by ignorance, and 
palmed upon 'mankind by a set of naring knaves, v/ho study ignorance them- 
selves, and willingly inculcate it to others. See the justly abhorred Church of 
Rome, from V4'hose abominations sprung thousands of those evils that have 
traversed the earth lor near two thousand years. Slaughter, massacre, deaih and 
destruction followed this sanctuary of polluiion, this arsenal of fraud, this store 
house of evil and this nursery of demons, promoted, upheld and supported by 
fraud. England, France, Germany and Spain have groaned itnder her cursed 
abominations; Church and Slate leagued in embrace, have been a greater scourge 
to mankind than the cholera with all its malignant menaces, poisoning the atmos- 
phere and spreading terror before its terrific ravages. Superstition is a fang of 
cleric power; bigotry and ignorance are the inain pillars of its support. To 
know truth, and support vice clothed in ignorance, is criminal. 

The torch of discord is a fiery zeal, and ambition's frenzy, with avarice sup- 
ported by power. Illuminated nature will soon destroy these three monsters in 
America. 

Columbians 1 we are seated in America, not to boast of oar government, but 
to realize and enjoy the achievements of our forefathers, in the cabinet and in 
the field. Could our discoverer, Christopher Columbus, b3 permitted to return 
from eternity this day, August 23d 183.'3, and view th-3 continent that ought to 
bear his name, would he not see his highest expectations realized 1 Wisdom has 
guided our counails since we became an independent nation. Experience has 
consolidated our government; its branches, purely democratic, illumine, the 
shades of ignorance. A new task of duties await us; national pride ought to 
be banished; the sword of victory promises the emblem of peace; united growth 
depends on united exertions and energy. What remains to be unfolded limj 
must determine; where no Cromwell exists to inflame the people, no Cresar, no 
Bonaparte to distribute crowns, nor cast diadems at their feet, nor reward follov/- 
ers with vanquished spoil.s, peace, with her balmy influence, will walk hand ia 
hand with industry and repose, under the banner of independence, cherished, 
supported and upheld by virtuous principles and patriotism, we may rest in 
safety. Resolutions we have witnessed in France, Poland, Belgium and other 
countries. They ha/e bijcn occasions 1 by ,sjme casiird acc'dent, or sudden burst 



Xll rilEFAC'R. 

of passion, ambitiun, etc., and raged for a limo, but ('>-ir want of a Cincinnalus, 
a Washington, or a La Fayette to guard the destinies of the people, they have 
failed in the issue, and instead of benefiting mankind, the general result has 
been, on the destruction of one tyrant, another has risen and bound the chains of 
bondage the tiglitcr. Social refinement, useful intelligence, difl"usi>;n of know- 
ledge, a general illumination of all the arts and means provided by nature, are 
the grand resort of arms, swords and arsenals of destruction, to pave the way 
to greatness of character, as a nation of freemen, and shew to the world a splen- 
dor that shall brighten with age till time shall cease and be no more. From a 
people thinly settled over an extensive territory in 1775, scarcely three millions 
in number, see a mighty nation arise, almost from the ashes of the phoenix, 
where addresses to reason l^ave been the grand criterion acted upon since that 
period, and which has not failed in any one ir.>tance to achieve wiiatevcr was 
intended. One unanimous concert roused every friend of sufi'oring' humanity 
to action; one A'oicc, the voice of emancipation; one sound was heard from 
Maine to Georgia, echoing from the pulpit, from the towers, from battlements, 
from altars, from tens of thousands of devoted patriots and their listening sons, 
from illustrious mothers -and their worthy daughters. Freedom or death rang 
through the wilds of America, losing in expiring vibrations on distant hills, 
the sound, we will b^ free; and meeting on the occnn the advancing foe, stamp- 
ing sbrire and. disgrace on his crested front; defeat, disaster, captivity, retreat 
and submission on liis flanks, rear, to the right and left; teacliingall tyrants a 
lesson worthy of their lasting remembrance, and laying a solid basis to support 
a government and people suited to the united wish, prosperity and happiness of 
the governed. 

Ambition, superstition, nor avarice, llie Tuiivcrsal torches of war, ever illum- 
ined an American field of battle. Our illustrious chief, like Cincinnatus, 
fought only for his country's honor and glory. Not for his own, nor his fami- 
ly's aggrandizement did he hazzard his life. The good cf mankind animated 
his breast, swelled its rolls on lame; stamped a character on Washinton that 
stands unrivalled, while his bravo associates share in the fame; and leave on re- 
cord a sacred deposit, with the gray hairs of her brave defenders. 

Descendants of the heroes* of '75! heirs of independence, glory and honor! 
When we survey past scenes, and turn over historic pages, viewing in contem- 
plation the rise and downfall of nations, and what mighty revolutions time has 
unfolded, varying the face of the world, with death and all the ravages of dis- 
ease that have traversed the earth, depopulating kingdoms, cities, towns and 
villages, we are struck with solemn surprise, and our minds ask the question, 
why all this destruction! What purpose has been eflected by this solemn, this 
awful, grand and lamentable catasirophc ? Tlie answer is ready. Divine econ- 
omy has so arranged its requireuients as to demand what we see and know and 
are assured from analogy has been the result, and will and must follow, till a 
renovating day shall renew depraved nature. The next inquiry naturally will 
be, what will the probable situation of the United States be one thousand years 
Irom the present date ! In this the mind has only imagination and analogy to 
assist its researches. The amphitheatre now opened is grand, including a vast 



PREFACK, Xm 

extent of territory, immense lakes, mountains, and rivers, with all the resources 
of physical nature to adorn so extensive and variegated a landscape. The 
variety of its soils, the present population, the prosperity, the harmony, good 
faith and resources that pervade every part of our nation, now evince a certain- 
ty that with foresight and perseverance, and the blessings of providence, may 
unfold in the time named above, scenes of felicity beyond what the world has 
ever witnessed from Adam down to tlie present day. 

That man was formed for social life no one will presume to deny; and to 
secure those virtues that are ornamental and useful, he must have an energetic 
government to bridle the passions of the vile, prelect the weak against the strong, 
and guide the balance wheel of state. Yoi:ng and new communiiics must build 
their rules and model of government on the most approved principles of virtu- 
ous institutions of other nations, with their c.vn experience and the benefits 
resulting from good habits, virtuous motives and wise regulations. Every 
citizen knows that his safety depends en public faith and agreement, and is an 
active member himself, if he acts vv'ilh candor; knowing his greatest enjoyment 
in life is to see his friends and countrymen all prosperous and happy around 
him. So long as this is the case, government is secure, .society liappy, and 
himself contented and flourishing. It is th's important principle in nature that 
benefits mankind; it animates the good, abasiies the vile, and makes virtue 
])]easing even to the vile and most profugalc. 

"The broadest mirth, unfeeling folly wears, 
Less pleasing far, than Virtue's very tears." 

The noblest spring of life, is an ardentaltachment to one's Country and the 
general good of the world. Philanthropy Is a shining quality, whether found in 
a king or a beggar. An American without this principle, ranks several grades 
below the savage. Ilomnn virtue had its stern features; Christianity has softened 
tlic hand of suicide, and rendered pleasing, Roman habits; tamed the stubborn 
valor of a Calo, eimobled the rude features, and stayed the hand of the assassin. 
Happiness and glory attend her altars, and the wild disposition of man is tamed 
in her presence. Sweet and delicious sensation, who would be without thcel — 
Ttie happy .situation of a country or community, can only be preserved by a 
strict adherence to making wisdom profitable, to applyirigthe antidote of health, 
vigor and perseverance, steadily; which we have seen raise our nation from three 
lo fifleen millions of inhabitants, in little more than half a century, and our gov- 
ernment from a feeble ilemocracy, founded on principles weak and imbecile, to 
support its proper authority, and hold in compact its thirteen United Colonies, or 
its members; to a consolidation of principles, combining a well planed Consti- 
tution, to support, uphold, bind and cement every part with its appendages of 
compact and agreement, to a fabric wisely calculated to give life, activity and 
protection to twenty-six States, and several territorial governments. 

A steady application of the same causes and effects govern the solar .system, 
and the observable universe. "Order, is heaven's first law." 

Future generations in America, have a model of a Government handed down 
to them by their fathers and forefathers, that has stood the scrutiny of European 
•sages of literature and diplomatic investigation for forty-six years, yet its pillars 



INTRODUCTION. 

To a generous public, ihe heart of a philanthropist may address its pathetic 
feelin'^s, and cherish in 5,Tateful remembrance, those virtues that ornament tiic 
names and pages of ancient and modern sages. The present day presents a 
theme worthy the enquiry and contemplation of the philosopher, historian, 
statesman and philanthropist. The enlightened genius of America, awake to 
every tender feeling that pervades the human breast, with sympathizing nature, 
deeply impressed for her suffering children; stand as the two pillars of Hercu- 
les, 10 support the cause of hum;mity, renovate the condition of mankind, and 
bind in shackles the tyrant of ancient o.nd modern days. Superstition, bigotry, 
criielty, usurpation, oppression, and all the wild strides of lawless ambition must 
bow to the mikl sceptre of peace; while kings, lords, dukes and nobles, lay 
down their royal dignities at the feet of virtue ; acknowledge tlie growing power 
of liberty and republican principles, and the just claim.s of all the hundreds ni 
millions of opprc-ssed subjects, that now groan in bondage. The tragic scenes 
that have shrouded the western hemisphere, and infringed on the just rights of 
millions of the great family of mankind, still hover too much over beloved 
and highly favored America. The rising generation, standing on the illustri- 
ous towers of modern fame, looking forward to that joyful day when wars, 
tumults and contentions shall cease, and peace, harmony and good will shall 
pervade every part of the earth, are now called upon, as heirs of the immortal bnnd 
(jL '76, to extend the right hstid of fellowship to all classes; the rich, the poor, 
the bond, the free, the white, black, and the red ; without distinction to any other 
f'laim but innate merit. May their exertions in the glorious cause of emanci- 
pation be equally glorious and shed its benign influence over the benighted mind 
of ignorance, in as splendid a reality as the achievement of that Independence, 
which crowned the toils, privations and sufferings of our fathers and the anxi- 
L'lies of our dear mothers. The world before us is big with events; the present 
day opens a scene unparalleled in time. The natural and inherent rights ot 
every man seem the topic of conversation. The injured, the slave, the oppress- 
ed, v/hite, black or red, all claim commiseration ; while a generous and magnan- 
imous people feel, and willingly sympathize with suffering nature. Charity, 
that darling of heaven, pervades the bosom, and invites the philanthropists of 
the world, to works of benevolence and love. The great object of creation 
seems about to be realized— to enlighten the imdcrstanding and spread intelli- 
gence to every quarter of the earth. The titles of the great, the nobles and 
:':ereditary fools of Europe and Asia, are but empty names and idle sounds in 
America. The ignorance and superstition that beclouded genius forty years 
ago, are fast disappearing from our horizon, and the sunshine of science is shed- 
ding its benign influence over the vast regions of the western continent. The 
rising generation in search for wisdom and understanding, has nothing to impede 
its progress 'but its own stupidity. The light of nature to illumine, the christian 
religion for a gui.b,th3 discoveries of ancients and modern? to assist, the arts and 
sciences of the present day to enrich and embellisli our own views, (far ri'iicr 

o 



XVlll ' INTRODUCTION. 

than the mines of Potosi to the youths of America,) all stand inviting to scene*; 
of a higher enjoyment than the splendid equipage of dynasties^ false honor, or 
show. A vast theatre has opened since the discovery of this country by Coluni 
bus, a little more than tlireo' hundred years ago. CrarapLd by superstition, and 
held in bondage by tyrants, man was a mere tool to ambitious and aspiring dem- 
agogues. Since that discovery mankind have gradually emerged from that 
cloud of ignorance that shadowed all Christendom for more than fourteen hun- 
dred year?. The bands of o])j)ression bursting, liberty unfurling tlic banner of 
freedom, virtuous intelligence spreading through Europe, Asia, Africa and 
America ; knowledge, and all the means to meliorate the condition of the human 
race progressing in an unparalleled ratio; while men, from infamy and igno- 
rance, are advancing in all the arts of civilized life ; making improvements 
upon the knowledge of past ages, where faith, sixty years ago, would have been 
.shaken to believe, what real knowledge now hath achieved. And still faith 
advances to new pursuits with as much certainty of success as the past sixty 
years have unfolded. The means put into our hands for improvement are great 
aud fast increasing. Our beloved America, highly favored by heaven and in- 
telligent nature, ranks high on the annals of the world. Our political institr- 
tions, our manufactories, our learning and scientific establishments, and our ag- 
ricultural interests, vie with, aud in many respects, rival the most celebrated in- 
stitutions of like character in Europe or Asia. Man must be active, or cease tu 
hi ; in one sense, to cease to act, is to follow vice in all her deformities, which is 
time thrown away and v^orse than lo5t; for it corrupts manners, destroys pliysi- 
cal nature aud the moral character of man. Youth must be engaged in some 
jjun-^uit to keep it active ; and when once the character of virtue becomes lovely 
I ) the human mind and the understanding, no image in nature is so agreeable or 
"oiiiameulai to its possessor. The little vanities of common life are laid aside, 
and all the beauties that embellish reason, sense, and judgment, immediately take 
possession of the breast, fancy and views of its possessor. 

The magazine ol knowledge is boundless. Eternity's store house is a variety 
vast as nature's self, inexhaustible as the source of light. Progressive nature can 
uevor reach the Deity; the intermediate space is left for created biiings. One 
ihciuo learned, another presents itself; the more learned the greater the display. 
Learning is like wealtli, one increases our desires, the other brightens our un- 
derstaiiding, enlivens our views, and makes us men on. earth, and fit companions 
lor angels in heaven. 

A generous public will, I hope, pardon the many defects in this work. The 
^ want of classical learning exposes an author to the sneering criticisms of clam- 
orous critics, whose college and book education is nearly all the knowledge they 
posscs.s; from such I fear nothing. The nuin design of this work is to illustrate 
the achievements of our forefathers in settling America, aud their stern opposi- 
tion to tyranny and oppression ; with the various incidents of our revolution 
which ought to be read with a .sympathy equal to the tragedy, by our children 
and children's children, through a hundred generations. And also to show to 
the world the folly of titles, high sounding names, extravagant pretensions to 
power and hereditary rights; oppression's hateful character at home and abroao, 
and all thcfaugs of tyranny and lawless usurpation j and ta awaken, if possible, 



IXTRODUCTION. XIX 

mir southern bretliren to a senre of their d:>nger, and to thcencmious load of 
guilt that hangs like a cloud over our b-ud, proud of itsindependcnc? F.nd boast- 
ing of its libsny. The tawny sons of Africa darken oar horizon, while their 
cries reach heaven and call aloud for commisseration. Fond hope can hardly, 
in the present state of things, shoAV the folorn 'sdns ami daughters of bondage in 
a land of liberty, a termination of their hard fate in slavery. Shall we for^-et 
our ancestors and violate the laws of humanityl Blush, America! beware! 
Shall liberty enslave her children 1 Eeaven forbid ; and eve?y freemen from 
Maine to the Rocky Mountains forbid. 

. I have to lament with my countrymen the present situaticn of tae Indian tribes i^ 
within our borders. Comraisseration is due to this people. The hard hand of 
fate follows them, and heaven only knows their future destiny. Nature, it scenr.> 
consigns them to poverty and a w^and-sring life, as dvilization among them pro- 
gresses slowly,, although some instances shcv>'- its practicability. Humanity 
demands our aid, and nature requivei it as a duty we owe this distressed and 
injured race of beings. 

In looking over the history of ancient and modern times, sages and renowned 
personages, the mind is naturally led to inquire, where are the millions that have 
inhabited the earth for above five thousand years % Death, the great astrologer, 
answers, gone ! gone ! gone ! Thu^, mortals, the time gast records and the 
present is recording, every day and moment. Mighty empires, mighty kingdom: > 
and all the human race, standing on the slippery verge of eternity, speak the 
language of decay ; and ocular demonstrations daily record destruction's lists. 
Here has ended and here must end the scries. Era'th must swallow up all, and 
at last be swallowed up herself in the great vortex of eternity. 

The farmer is nearly lord of the soil in America; he has nothing to fear/; 
he can point to his plow and say witR, Pharaoh, king of Egypt, that is my philo- 
sopher's stone that turn? labor into gold; it supplies me Vvith bread, meat and 
clothing, and all that nature wants to make life comfortable. 

The present mode of traveling would ha^^e staggered honest belief lilly years 
ago. Rail roads, turnpikes and steam engines were then hardly known. The 
increased ratio of speed is frcni six or eight miles an hour to nearly thirty. And 
it will soon be, that expresses will carry intelligence from Boston to the Rocky 
Mountains, in nearly the same space of lime that one, could have traveled from 
Boston to Albany in our revolutionary war. Manufactories, by the aidot steav.i 
and newly constructed machinery, can now perform- labor with such facili'y 
that not a sixth part of the labor expended si xtj'' years ago is now required i.i 
produce the same result. Navigation, also, has kept pace v^^iih the otlier ari.-i. 
Steam boats or vessels, plowing our lakes and rivers against wind, tide and 
current, that originally nearly bafiled the pov/cr of men skilled in nautical 
science, now yield to a power that forty }-ears ago lay concealed in the womb of 
enterprize ; and future generations shall reap the result that has so happily dis- 
pla)'ed its vast advantages to the worfd through a Fulton, who stands at the head , 
of'steam navigation; and although dead, speaks in the hollow voice of the 
steam bursting from its massy conductors and mingling with the surrounding 
air; and while memory fasts may his name be remembered when this shfiU. . 
sound strikes the listening ear. 



«: INTRODUCTION, 

Astronomy still opens the door, wider and wider to the Improving hand of 
genius. The vast range of space where almighty God exerts his power, defies 
still the ingenius mathematician who devotes his time in admiration to what he 
sees, and in search of what he is confident exists. The stupendous fabric of cre- 
ation spoke a language to Sir Isaac Newton, that bowed the sage's head every 
time the name of God was mentioned. Recent discoveries still enlarge the 
grandeur of the display. To discribe even a part of Lhe vast profound, mocks 
the power of language, reason or pen. 

My tongue cannot number the millions of miles, 
My reason is lost, and left in the wiles ; 
The grand scheme of nature immense and profound 
Wliere all of my senses in chaos are drowned. 
Almighty tlie power and vast the extent. 
Heaven's field, like a boundless and vast continent, 
, Comprises a whole, universal, complete, 

And God, in all parts of creation we meet. 

The vast assemblage of machinery that compose the universe, their order, 
•regularity and systematic arrangement, all declare the almighty power, and the 
superintendence of an omnipresent and omnipotent God, whose dominions ex- 
tend farther than thought, fancy or the power of reason, sense or judgement can 
conceive. The astonished beholder lifts his eyes to heaven in reverence, while 
;idoration swells his mind and breast to a ready acknowledgement of his own 
littleness, and he exclaims with the poet, "Lord ! what is man, or the son of man 
that' thou regardest him." 

\ Philosophy, especially moral, seems to be equalizing mankind and bringin g 
about that reform so much needed in the .moral world. Man sees himself at 
the head of creation, equal as to freedom, but in fortune and talents, for reasons 
best known to God, variously bestowed ; mental powers his own, freedom and 
liberty his own, till he willingly submits himself to laws for the general good. 
The rapid advance of intellect, the awakened genius in search of wisdom, the 
rational faculties of man intent to render mother nature and her great family 
happier and happier every day, by some new improvement to lessen expense, 
save labor, and lighten the burden demanded of man in the first stages of cxist- 
•ence, are themes of the highest imiwrtance, and seem to engross the main atten- 
tion of all, from the king in his palace, to the peasant in his shantee. 

Agriculture, traveling, navigation, astronomy, philosophy, mathematics, and 
all kinds of useful knowledge, are opening new treasures every day. Nearly 
half the faith of sixty years ago is now real knowledge. Each man seeks the 
general good in wishing to preserve his own. The great reform commenced in 
1775 continues yet. The liberal hand of justice is fast unlocking the doors of ig- 
norani-e, while the bright sun shine of intelligence is spreading the olive branch 
to the reinoledl parts of the world, unl inviting all to partake of her bounties, 
and behold the laurel of freedom spreading over the western hemispliere a wreath 
of unfading glory made verdant with age and lasting by the union that walks hand 
in hand with virtue and her supporters, knowledgi?, wisdom and truth. 



INTRODUCTION TO THE POETICAL PAilTS. 



Sing, heavenly Muse! Oh, Earth, attend and hear! 

And every soul to heavenly themes aspire; 
While proud America shall take her seat 
Where liberty and freedom's children meet. 
Father of Light, assist! From towers of fame 
Minerva smiles, while heaven's celestial plain ^ 
In sweetest melody re-echoing sounds, 
And love and friendship know no stated bounds. 
O'er earth's wide circuit spread the olive branch, 
A wreath of laurel binds the sword and lance ; 
Weapons of death lie rusting on our towers, 
While hushed to silence war resigns her powers. 
Assist my mind, my fancy, and my views. 
Great Spirit! to consult the heavenly Muse ; 
And while thy graces charm ilm glowing breast, 
Man sees himself of all that 's great possessed. 
Columbus great, by noble nature fed, 
His genius vast to new discovery led. 
The tov/ers of fame record his matchless skill, 
.\nd vast designs engage his mind and will ; 
His thoughts, a fund from nature's magazine. 
Sagacious, lively, virtuous, and serene ; 
Struggling for years 'gainst ignorance and pride ; 
Yet imdismayed, he to them ne'er replied. 
Europe's brave son, whose active genius rose 
On reason's chart, o'er ignorance and foes, 
Sought fame from ocean's vast and hid recess, 
Where billows roll their waste dominions west. 
In this unknown, wide realm, he sought to find. 
LandS; unexplored, existing in his mind.. 



XXll TOETICAI, INTRODUCTION. 

To demonstrate this grand reality, 

His towering genius braved adversity. 

His native city, Genoa, ill repaid her son 

For otfers made of v/Iiat his genius won. 

Merit from strangers double pay receives, 

While friends reject and country scarce believes. 

Ungrateful Portugal, pcriidious friend, 

Unworthy trust, proved treacherous and unkind. 

Deceit rests on her tower. Columbia's name 

Saw her intrigue and quits her with disdain. 

Spain's honored Queen, whose fame shall ever live. 

While suns shall rise, and earth have praise to give. 

America! this hen-ess of renown, 

Ranks highs on earth, and v/cars a civic crown. 

Columbus found in her a worthy friend, 

Wliose kindness lasts till death all friendships end : 

Pawning her jewels to defray tlie charge 

Of his vast plans, Spain's empire to enlarge. 

Colinnbus then beheld the joyful day 

That ushered in a new and grand display ; 

Ocean's vast billows bear his liitle fleet 

O'er watery wastes, lands unexplored to seek ; 

He plowed the waves for . many an anxious day, 

Where waters roll and billows mount the spray — 

One vast, unbounded^ region, where the flood 

Rolled in majestic form and angry mood — 

When lo! the sight that eight succeeding years 

Engaged his thoughts, his life, and all his cares, 

Before him realized, in view, tLierb lay 

A land that ouglit to bear his name, i\iuerica: 

And island new in western hemispheres, 

That lay concealed above five thousand years. 

Heaven crowned her son; success immortalized: 

His name still lives, and higliiy-rcaUzed. 

This vast discovery, now the .£\lpo(iQ of fame. 

Historic records has transferred his name. 



1'0E*riCAL INTRODUCTION. XXiU 

injustice wronged this son of enterprize, 
And nations now this wrong have solemnized. 
Treachery, the hydra of terrific birth, 
And superstition, plant the seeds of death ; 
Imagination, passions, ignorance. 
Blast virtue with their vile malevolence. 
Where bigotry, armed with a monarch's power, 
And Rome's cursed clergy, mankind v/ould devour. 
Old Ferdinand, the dupe of cleric schools. 
The mere name of independence holds. 
Proffers were soon forgot, w^iere jealousy 
Unites with subjects and with monarchy ; 
Columbus soon too many rivals found. 
Whose claims to greatness only were in sound. 
Isabella died, and with her friendship died, 
And promise made with future plans to guide 
The new discovery ; genius to reward, 
And pay to merit virtue's just regard. 
But no! designing emisaries rose. 
Ambitious only to disturb repose ; 
Columbus, whose renown Europeans cheered, 
Seized, chained, and bound, before defence was heard ; 
False and malicious lies are tried in vain 
To blast his character and risins: fame. 
Towering above the xaie, his name shall Vive 
While time shall last and earth has praise to give ; 
Although robbed of the honor justly due 
His perseverance, posterity must view 
The wrong, while proud America leveres, 
And hail Columbia every bosorn cheers. 
Thy banner waves, illustrious hero dead : 
Thy fame shall live and by the world be .read ; 
Millions thy dower now fully realize, 
Wliile independence has secured the prize. 
Illustrious shade! hail! hail! Columbia, 
Americus shall ne'er supplant thy worth ; 



XXIV POETICAL INTRODUCTrOX. 

And while time lasts, thy name, America, 

Shall prostrate bow before its fame and grow(>. — 
An asylum where peace and plenty reigns, 

Where liberty and freedom's rights secured ; 
Where the oppressed are freed from tyrant's chains, 

And where the claim of every man 's revered. 
The United States, now fifteen millions stron?, 

Crowned with repose and plenty, hail thy name : 
Departed friend! thy praise from every tongue 

Shall swell the choir and raise thy living fame : 
Hail ! hail ! Columbia's happy land, 

Where rich and poor, and all agree, 
As one united, marshaled band, 

And raise thy standard — Liberty.. 



DISCOVEEY OF AMERICA. 



As the main design of this work is to ilkistrate thctragic scenes 
that have occiired since the discovery of this new and highly 
important quarter of the earth by Christopher Cohimbus, an 
account of this event and the indefatigable perseverance of 
its discoverer, will not fail to be highly interesting to most of my 
readers, I shall here copy from the first volume of Morse's 
Universal Geography the following pages, viz. 

CHRiSTOPHER COLON or COLUMBUS, a subject of the 
republic of Genoa, was among the foreigners, whom the fame 
of the discoveries of the Portugese had allured into their ser- 
vice. He descended from a noble family reduced by misfortune; 
but neither the time nor place of his birth are certainly knov/n. 
His ancestors, having had recourse to a seafaring life for support, 
Columbus, from his early youth, discovered such peculiar tal- 
ents for that profession, as indicated his future greatness. His 
parents encouraged this original propensity by giving him a 
suitable education. After acquring some knowledge of the La- 
tin tongue, the only language in which science was taught at that 
time, he was instructed in geometry, cosmography, astronomy, 
and the art of drawing. To these he applied v/ith such ardor 
and predilection, on account of their connection with navigation, 
his favorite object, that he made rapid proficiency in them. Thus 
qualified, in 1461, at the early age of fourteen, he went to sea, 
and began his career on that element which conducted him to 
so much glory. His early voyages were limited principally to 
tliose places which had before been discovered, in which nothing 
very remarkable happened, except that in a sea fight, off the coast 
of Portugal, with some Venitian coasters, the vessel on board 
which he served, took fire, together with one of the enemy's to* 
4 



26 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

which it was fast afrappled; upon which he threw himself into tlie 
sea, laid hold of a floating oar, and by the support of it, and his 
dexterity in swimminsf, he reached the shore, though more than 
six miles distant, and thus preserved a life designed for great 
imdertakings. 

Soon after this he went to Lisbon, where he married a daugh- 
tfir of Bartholmew Perestrello, one of the captains employed by 
Prince Henry in !iis early voyages, aiid who had discovered and 
])lantcd the islands of Porto Santo and Maderia. The journals 
mid charts of this experienced navigator, his father-in-law, fell 
into his hands, and he, with avidity, availed himself of the val- 
uable mforaiation they contained. His impatience to visit the 
places which Perestrello had seen and described, became irresist- 
able; and he made a voyage to Madeira, and spent several years 
in trading witli that island, the Canaries, the Azores, the settle- 
ments in Guinea, and all other places which the Portugese had 
discovered on the continent of Africa. 

By the experience acquired during such a variety of voyages, 
Columbus became one of the most skilful navigators of Europe 
But his ambition did not permit him to rest satisfied with that 
praise. He aimed at something more. A project had been con- 
ceived of finding out a passage by sea, to the East Indies. The 
accomplishment of this became a favorite object with Columbus. 
The Portuguese sought this route by steering towards the south, 
in hope of arriving at India, by turning to the cast, after they 
had sailed round the farther extremity of Africa ; which passage 
Avas afterwards ctfected in 1407, by Yasco de Gama, a Portu- 
guese navigator. Columbus contemplated a shorter and more 
dii'ect passage to the East Indies, by sailing towards the west, 
across the Atlantic Ocean. The principles and arguments which 
induced him to adopt this opinion, then considered as chimerical^ 
were highly rational and philosophical. Tlie sphericity and 
magnitude of the earth, were at that period ascertained with some 
dejjree of accuracy. From this it was evident, that the con- 
tinents of Europe, Asia and Africa, formed but a small part of tlije 
l^rM-raqaeous globe. It aj^peared likewise extremely probable, 



TUSCOVERY OF AMERICA. 27 

that the continenit on the one side of the globe, was balanced by 
a proportionable quantity of land in the other hemisphere. These 
conclusions concerning the existence of another continent, drawn 
from the; figure and structure of the globe, were confirmed by the 
obser\'ations and conjectures of modern navigators, and from 
pieces of timber aTtifi<:ially carved, canes of an enormous size, 
trees torn up by the roots, and the dead bodies of two men with 
singular features, which had been discovered and taken up, float- 
iug before a westerly wind, or driven on the coasts of the Azores. 
The force of this united evidence, arising from theoretical princi- 
ples and practical observations, led Columbus to conclude, that 
by sailing directly toward? tli3 west, across the Atlantic ocean, 
new countries, which probably formed a part of the vast conti- 
nent of India, must infallibly be discovered. 

As early as 1474, he communicated his ingenious theory to 
Paul, a physician of Florence, eminent for his knowledge of 
cosmography. He warmly approved of this plan; suggested sev- 
eral facts in confirmation of it, and encouraged Columbus to 
persevere in an undertaking so laudible, and which must redound 
so much to the honor of his country, and the benefit of Europe. 

Columbus now became impatient to brmg to the test of experi- 
ment, the truth of his system, and to set out upon a voyage of 
discovery. The first step towards this, was to secure the patron- 
age of some of the considerable powers of Europe. With this 
view he laid his scheme before the senate of Genoa, and making 
his native and beloved country, the first tender of his service, 
offered to sail, under the banners of the republic, in quest of new 
regions which he expected to discover. But they, incapable of 
forming just ideas of his principles, inconsiderately rejected his 
proposal as chimercial. He then stibmitted his plan to the Por- 
tuguese, who perfidiously attempted to rob him of the honor of 
ficcomplishing it, by privately sending another person to pursue 
tliG» same tract which he had proposed. But the pilot, who Vv^as 
thus basely employed to execute Columbus' plan, had neither 
tlie genius or the fortitude of its author. Contraiy winds 
arose — no land appeared--his courage failed, and he returnc-d to 



28 AN ABtERlCAN FIELD OF MARS. 

Lisbon, execrating a plan which he had not abilities to execute. 

On discovering this flagrant treachery, Cohnnbus immediately 
quitted the kingdom in disgust, and landed in Spain^ towards the 
close of the year 1484. Here he resolved to propose it in person 
to Ferdinand and Isabella, who at that time governed the united 
kingdoms of Castile and Aragon. He, in the mean time, sent 
his brother Bartholomew to England, to propose his plan to 
Henry VH. 

After experiencing a series of mortifying disappointments; du- 
ring eight tedious years, which the brevity of this history will 
not permit us to relate, Columbus, in deep angTiish, A\athdrew 
from court, determined to repair to England as his last resource. 
At this juncture, the atiairs of Spain which had been perplexed 
in consequence of a war with the Moors, took a favorable turn. 
Q,uintanilla and Santangel, two powerful, vigilant and discerning 
patrons of Columbus, seized this favorable opportunity to make 
one more efibrt in behalf of their friend. They addressed them- 
selves to Isabella, with such forcible arguments as produced 
tJie desired effect. They dispelled all Isabella's doubts and 
fears. She ordered Columbus, v/ho had proceeded on his jour- 
ney, to be instantly recalled — declared her resolution to employ 
him on his own terms; and regretting the low state of her finances, 
generously offcrcd to pledge her own jewels, in order to raise as 
much money as might be needed in making preparations for the 
voyage. Santangel, in a transport of gratitude, kissed the 
Queen's hand, and, in order to save her from having recourse to 
such a mortifying expediency for procuring money, engaged to 
advance, immediately, the sum that was requisite.. 

Columbus had proceeded some leagues on his journey, when' 
the messenger from Isabella overtook him. He returned with' 
joy. mingled with some degree of fear lest he should again be 
disappointed. The manner of his reception by the Queen was^. 
however, such or, quickly dispelled his fears. A ncgociation 
conmienced, and was forwarded with despatch, and a treaty of 
capitulation'with Columbus was signed on the 7th of April, 1492. 
The chief artioles of it were, 1, Ferdinand and Isabella, as 



DISCOVERT ap ame:rica, 29 

sovereigns of the ocean, constituted Columbus their hiafh admi- 
ral in all the seas, islands and continents, which should be dis- 
covered by his industry ; and stipulated, that he and his heirs 
forever should' enjoy this office, with the same powers and pre- 
rogatives which belonged to the high admiral of Castile, within 
the limits of his jurisdiction. 2. They appointed Columbus 
their viceroy in all the islands and continents which he should 
discover ; but if, for the better administration of atfairs, it should 
be necessary to establish a separate Governor in any of those 
countries, they authorized Columbus to name three persons, of 
whom they would chose one for that office ; and the dignity of 
viceroy with all its immunities, was likewise to be hereditary in 
the family of Columbus. 3. They granted to Columbus and 
his heirs forever, the tenth of the free profits accruing from the 
productions and commerce of the countries which he should dis- 
cover. 

4. They declared, if any controversy or law suit shall arise, 
with respect to any mercantile transaction, in the countries 
which shall be discovered, it should be determined by the sole 
authority of Columbus, or of judges to be appointed by him. 
5. They permitted Columbus to advance one eighth part of 
what should be expended in preparing for the expedition, and in 
carrying- on commerce with the countries which he should dis- 
cover, and entitled him, in return, to an eight part of the profit. 

Though the name of Ferdinand appears conjoined with that 
of Isabella in this transaction, his distrust of Columbus was still 
so violent that he refused to take any part of the enterprise as 
king of Aragon. As the whole expense of the expedition was 
to be defrayed by the crown of Castile, Isabella reserved for her 
. subjects of that kingdom, an exclusive right to all the benefits 
which might redound from its success. 

After all the eftbrts of Isabella and Columbus, the armament 
was suitable, neither to the dignity of the power who equipped 
it, nor to the importance of the service to which it was destined. 
It consisted of three vessels ; the largest, a ship of no consider- 
<ible burden, was commanded by Columbus, as admiral, who 



'Si) AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

^ave it the name of Santa Maria. Of the second called the 
P'uita. Martin Pinzon was captain, and his brother Francis pilot. 
Tlie tlnrd, named the Nigua, was under the connnmid of Yin- 
cent Yanez Pinzon. These two last mentioned were light ves- 
sels, hardly superior in burden or force to large boats. Tliis 
little squadi-on was victualled for twelve months, and had on 
board nhiety men, mostly sailors, with a few adventurers, who 
Ibllowed the fortune of Columbus, and some gentlemen of Isa^ 
bella's court, whom she appointed to accompany him. The 
sum employed in fitting out this squadron did not exceed £4000 
sterling. 

On the 3d of August, 141)2, Columbus set sail in the presenoo 
of a vast crowd of spectators, who oU'ered fervent supplications 
to heaven for his success, which they rather wished than expect- 
ed. He steered directly for the Canary islands, and in the short 
run thither, found his ships crazy and ill appointed, and very 
unfit for so long and dangerous a navigation as he had underta- 
ken. After refitting them as well as he could, he left the Cana- 
ries on the 6th of September, and here properly oonmienced the 
voyage of discovery. He held his course due west, and inm:io- 
diately left the usual track of navigation, and stretched into un- 
known and unfrequented seas. By the 14th o^ September, the 
fleet was about 200 leagues west of the Canaries, at a 'greater 
distance from land than any Spaniard had been before that time. 

Columbus early discovered, from the spirit of liis foHowers, 
that he must prepare to struggle, not only with the difficulties 
which might be expected from the nature ofi his undertaking, 
Init with such also as were likely to arise from the ignorance 
and timidity of the people under his command. All the art and 
address he was master of was hardly sufhcient to quell tlie 
mutinous disposition of his sailors, who grcw the more turbu- 
lent in proportion as their distance from home increased. Wliat 
most astonished Columbus, during the voyage; was the variation 
of the magnetic needle. He observed that it did not point ex- 
actly to the polar stax, but varied townrds the west. This 
appc-arance, then one of the mystericj of nature, tliough now 



I. 

DISCOVERY OF AMERICA, 31 

familiar, filled the companions of Columbus with ten*or. — 
They v/ere now in the midst of a trackless ocean — nature her- 
self seemed to be altered, and the only guide they had left was 
about to fail them. Columbus, with no less quickness than 
ingenuity, invented a reason for this appearance, which, though 
it did not satisfy himself, seemed so plausible to them, that it dis- 
pelled their fears and silenced tlieir murmurs. 

On the evening of the 11th of October, Columbus v/as- so 
confident, from various appeai-anccs, of being near land, that he 
ordered the sails to be furled, and the ships to lie too, and strict 
watch to be kept lest they should be driven on shoie in the 
nic'Iit. During this interval of suspense and expectation, no 
man shut his eyes, all kept on deck, gazing intently towards that 
quarter where they expected to discover the land, which liad so 
long been the object of their wishes. A little before michiight, 
Columbus, from the forecastle, discovered a light at adistancie^ — 
and shortly after the joyful sound of laud! land! was heard 
from the Pinta, which always kept ahead of the other sliips. — 
At the dawn of day, an island was seen from every ship, at the 
distance of about two leagues north, whose verdant aspect indi- 
cated a most delightful country. The crews of all the ships, 
v/itli tears of joy, and transports of congratulation, unitedly 
sang Te Deum, as a hymn of thanksgiving to God. They then, 
with feelings of self condemnation, mingled with reverence, 
tlirew themselves at the feet of CoLuiibus, begged him to foi-give 
tlieir ignorance, incredulity and insolence, which had given 
him to much unnecessary disquiet — acloiowledged his superior 
abilities, and promised obedience in future. 

At sunrising, the boats were manned and armed, and tliey 
rowed towards the island with their colors displayed, with war- 
like music and other martial pomp. As they approached tlie 
coast, they sav/ it covered with a multitude oi people, whom the 
novelty of the spectacle had drawn together, whose attitudes and 
gestures expressed wonder and astonishment at the strange ob- 
jects before them. Columbus was the first European who sot foot 
in the New World which he had discovered. He landed in a 



32 DISCOVERY OP AMERICA. 

rich dress, and with a. naked sword in his hand. His men lol 
lowed, and kneeling down, tliey all kissed the ground Avhich they 
had so long desired to see. They next erected a crucifix, and 
prostrating themselves before it, returned thanks to God for con- 
ducting their voyage to so happy an issue. They then took 
solemn and formal possession of the country for the crown of 
Castile and Leon. 

The dress of the Spaniards, their beards, their arms, the vast 
machines with which they had traversed the oceen, the thun- 
dering roar of the cannon, accompanied with lightning and 
smoke, filled the natives with surprise and terror, and they be- 
gan to consider them as children of the sun, who had descended 
to visit mortals here below. 

The Spaniards were hardly less amazed in their turn. The 
productions of the island were different from any thing they 
had ever seen in Europe. The inhabitants appeared in the 
simple innocence of nature, entirely naked. Their black hair, 
long and uncurled, floated upon their shoulders, or was bound 
in tresses round their heads. They had no beards, and every 
]>art of their bodies was perfectly smooth. Their complexion 
was of a dusky copper color ; their features singular rather than 
disagreeable, and their aspect gentle and timid. They were 
shy at first, through fear ; but soon became familiar with the 
Spaniards, and v/ith transports of joy, received from them vari- 
ous kinds of trinkets, in return for which they gave provisions, 
and some cotton yarn, the only commodity of value they could 
produce. Thus in the first interview between the inhabitants 
of the Old and new Worlds, every thing was conducted amica- 
bly, and to their mutual satisfaction. 

The island on which Columbus first landed he called San 
Salvador. It is one of that large cluster of islands, known b3^ 
the name of Lucaya or Bahama islands, and is above 3000 miles 
west of the Canaries. 

He afterwards touched at several islands of the same cluster, 
enquiring every where for gold, which he thought was the only 
object of commerce worth his attention. In steering southward, 



DISCOVERY OP .\MEllICA. 33 

lie discovered the Islands of Cuba and Hispaniola, aboiindiiis; 
in all the necessaries of life, and inhabited by a hnniane mid 
hospitable people. 

On his return to Spain he was overtaken by a stOirni. which 
had nearly proved fatal to his ships and their crews. At a crisis 
when all was g-iven up for lost, Columbus had presence of mind 
enough to retire into his cabin, and to write upon parchment 
a short account of his voyage. Tbis he wrapped in an oiled 
clotb, which he enclosed in a cake of wax, put it into a tight 
cask, and threw it into the sea, in liopes that some fortunate ac- 
cident might preserve a deposit of so mucli importance to the 
world. lie arrived at Palos in Spain, Vxdience he liad sailed the 
year before, on the 15tli of March, 1493. He was vv'clcomcil 
with all the acclamations which the populace are ever veudy to 
licstow on great and glorious cbaractcrs: and the court received 
'Iiini Vv'itii marks of the greatest respect. 

In September, of this year, (1493) Columbus sailed upon bi-^ 
second voyage to Amcrico ; during tbc performance of wliidi. 
lie discovered the islands of Dominica, Marigalante, Gauduloupi^ 
Montferrat, Antigua, Porto Eico and Jamaica ; and rcluraed to 
•Spain 1490. 

Ill 1498, he sailed a third time ibr America ; and on the Isi oi' 
August discovered the continent, at the mouth of the river (Jro- 
iiioke. He tlien coasted along westward, making otlier discoveri(\s 
for 200 leagues to Cape Vela, from wliicli lie crossed over to 
Hispaniola, where he was seized by a new Spanish governor, 
and sent home in chains. 

In 1502, Columbus made Iiis fourth and last voyage to ili>- 
])aniola : thence he woit over to the Continent — (discovered tlie 
bay of Honduras — thence sailed along the main shore easterly 
200 leagues, to Cape Grucias a Dios, Veragua, Portobello and the 
Culf of Darien, searcldng in viiin lor a passage to the l:last In- 
<lies. During this voyage, he was sliipwreckcd on the island of 
Jamaica, where he sufTered almost inconceivai)]y fiom the cm- 
<3ity of the inhabitants, the muiiny of Ids men, and espccitdiy 
from the infomous conduct of the i^ovornor of Hispaniola. He 
5 . 



oX AN AMKRICAN KIKLD OF MARS. 

returned to Spin in.l-'jO'l., On liis arrivalhe repeived th^ latul 
iiows of the deatli oif his patroness, Q,ueen Isabelhi. , ,, 

Tlie jealous and avaricious Spaniards, not imniediutQly 19- 
ceiving those golden advantages from these new discoveries, 
which they had promised, and lost to the feelings of huinanily 
and gratitude, sullcrcd their esteem and admiration of Columbus 
to degenerate into ignoble envy. 

The latter part of his life AVas made wretched by the cruel 
persecutions ot his enemies. Ciueeu Isabella, his friend and 
patroness, was no longer alive to afford him relief. He .sought 
rcdrqss from Ferdinand, but in vain. Disgusted with the in- 
gratitude of a monarch, whom he had servpd with so nmch fi- 
delity and success; exhausted with hardships, and broken with 
the infa'mities which these brought upon him, Columbus ended 
his active and useful life at Valadolid, on the 20th of May, 15U6, 
in llie 59th year of his age. He died with a composure of mind 
^^uiled to the magnanimity which distinguished his character, 
and with sentiments of piety becoming that supreme respect lor 
religion which he manilested in every occurrence of his lile. 
He was grave though courteous in his deportment, circum- 
.spect in his words and actions, irreproachable in his morals, and 
oxcm])lary in all the duties of his religioji. 

Among other adventurers to the new world, in pursuit ot 
gold, was Americus Vespucius, a Florentine gentleman, M'honi 
I'erdinand had appointed to draw sea charts, and to whom he 
had given the title of chief pilot. This man accompanied Oje- 
da, an enterprising Spanish adventurer, to America; and having 
with nuich art, and some degree of elegance, drawn u]) an amu- 
sing Jiistory of his voyage, he published it to the world. It cir- 
culated rapidFy, and was read with admiration. In his narra- 
tive, he had insinuated that the glory of havbig first discover- 
ed the New World, belonged to him. This was in part believed, 
and t'lc coiuitry began to be called after the name of its sup- 
j)0.sed lirsl discoA erer. The unaccountable caprice of mankind 
has ])orpetua1;ed the error ; so that now, by the universal consent 
o( all nations, tJiis new ipiartcr of the globe is called Amkuica. 



DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. 35 

The bold prelciitions of ;i fortunate impostor iiavc robbed the 
discoverer of tlic New World of a distinction wiiich belonged 
to him. The name of Americiis has supplanted that of Colum- 
bus, and mankind are left to rogifct an act of injustice, which, 
liaving been sanctioned by time, they can never redress. 



THE GRAND DRAMATIC REPRESENTATION 

Of the first discovery of the Western Continent, by Christo- 
pher Cohmibus, a native of Genoa, A. D. 1492. 

AN AMERICAN TRAGIC POETICAL HISTORY. 



Hail ! Columbia's land ! Avhere freedom 

Lights the lamp of liberty ; 
Act the part of nature's freemen 

With the sons of Africa. 
Stain not the honor of our nation 

With oppression's cruel arm. 
Let thy voice, emancipation, 

Tyrants threats of power disarm. 
When our forefathers, to discover 

Seas unexplored and lands unknown ; 
Fearless eng-aofed the storms and weather, 

S;iiled o'er the Atlantic's waves alone; 
No pilot but the God of day, 

No harbor, friend, nor country known ; 
They fear no danger or dismay, 

But trusted in their God alone. 
Day after day their anxious eyes 

Gazed o'er the western watery world, 
Where nought but water and the skies 

Did the blue horizon unfurl ; 
The heavens above in azure blue, 

And waters spread from pole to pofe 
One vast, wide waste the only view. 

Where nature grand in billows roll ; 
The blue expanded western gaze 
Still lengthened out their sight ; 



38 AN AMERICAN FIELD OP UARS^ 

No laiid ! Their niiiids in sore amaze 

Their troubled souls ariii«-ht. 
Goluinbus, kins: of bold adventures. 

Fearlessly pursues his ]ilans. jh i 

And \vhei;e his geiiius calls lie ventures: 

By ills flatteries and, commands. 
Ignorance bold he did encounter. 

And superstition's powers defeat : 
With courage approaching unto wondei- 

Stilled the murmurs of his fleet. 
The God of iwtvue so-w his virtues, 

JStrugglhig Avith the hand of fate : 
Calmed JNeptue's empire, full of terrors. 

To a peaceful slumbering lake. 
Fancy, excited by ambition. 

Often sinks in keen despair : 
And its charm, that 's so bewitching. 

With the ignorant prove a snare. 
IS'eptune's tars, who face all danger. 

Fearing not tlie cmmons roar, 
Beheld the ocean as some stranger 

That terrific featuies wore. 
(\">in-age now began to fail them, 

Distance increa:?ing day by day, 
The compass too, began to fiiil then, 

Columbus, fearless and undaunted. 
New inventions sought to find 

To cheer their mind already haunted 
By demons of an ancient kind. 

Success attended his discovery ; 
Western still he plowed tlie main ; 

Billows, dressed ui nature's livery, 
Sullen murmurs seemed to sigh ; 

^^^len, lo ! tlie genius of the ocean. 
Ominous of the great event, 

Spread like charms of pure devotion. 



DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. 39 

Was by nature forward sent ; 
Anticipation raised her sceptre, 

Every heart the goddess cheers ; 
With that useful, pleasing lecture, 

Courage gains the crown she wears. 
When, at midnight's silent hour, • 

A light is seen from distant shores. 
Ominous of the growing power 

Of a republic such as ours. 
Joy ushered in a glorious morn, 

Aurora's smiles new charms convey ; 
A land, with lofty groves adorned, 

Stretched far and wide, before them lay ; 
With thankful hearts they humbly liend 

Before Jehovah's royal throne ; 
Their rising fears are banished now, 

Wliilc readily their faults they own. 
Heaven saw the scene with solemn joy : 

The future weighed — her children see 
Engaged in war and all the toys 

That constitute earth's misery. 



KE MARKS ON iXATURE'S VISION. 



Here Nature is snpi)Oscd to be a prophetic motlier, seeing n 
vision-T^the whole scene of future ages dispkiyed in full view — 
portrayino- tlie vast, promiscuous assemblage of all the tumul- 
tuous scenes incident to the fluctuating situation of such a world 
ns ours. Towns, cities, and villages spread the plains ; moun- 
tains, vjdlies, gulfs. ba37-s, lakes, rivers, and all the domaiu of tliis 
western hemisphere, from the Atlantic ocean to the Pacific's 
rolling waves and tumultuous billows. This vast amphitheatre 
di.^played, peopled by millions of millions of the human family, 
scattered in various employmients — the oceans, seas, bays, and 
harbors, groaning under the burden of ships lor commerce, use- 
ful to mankind, and of huge castles of destruction, wars vast 
engines, to destroy the infatuated race of mortals whose ambi- 
tion and pride would if possible dethrone heaven's King and 
prostrate all his works. 

Cities, surrounded by walls, towers, and battlements, to keej) 
out human beasts of prey : covered with the useless instruments 
of death and dcstruciion : crowded with men. armed to assist 
iiiim death to destroy Avhat God and nature forbid ; brandishing 
s\\-ords, spears, and lances, at their own species, fathers, bro- 
tiicrs, and former friends, who rush tot) o awful charge through 
brazen gates, over lofty bulwarks and ramparts of dead, through 
sheets of fire and all the awfuls of eternity, to butcher and mur- 
der this poor and frail mortal image of man. 

The awful view of all the horrid battles, sieges, and confu- 
usion. that has attended this horrible of all horrors from 1-192 to 
llie present date — oh! reader, canst tliou imagine the scene.' 
Vet we must suppose the grert Author of all. whom I 
hero call Nature, saw the results which would inevitably fol- 
low the settlement of this vjist region — armies of thousands and 



IlKMARKS ON NATURe's VlSIOiV- 4,f 

tens of tlioiisands, armed to kill and destroy by ciennnand, stand- 
ing in dread array, or rusliing with all the fury of ti^gers, lions, 
lx!ars. ])anthers, and, at th c worst, mad-men ; who meet in the 
same manner where fury only predominates in committing tlte 
most horrid murders, mass:acrcs, and robberies, that powers of 
invention, or the raving passions of imgoverned principles can 
muster or command — the fi elds of battle, the dead, the dying, the 
wounded, the cannon, tlie musket, the bayonet, sword, spear, 
lanco, witli every instrument of war^ — -tlie confusion^ upi^oar. 
dismay J horror, and defeat ; the clasli of arms, the roaring of 
cannon, the bursting of bon.ibs, rattling of muskets, drams beat- 
ing, trumpets sounding, shouts of victors, screams and. yells; 
gToans, moans, and lamentt-.tions, heard from every qiiafter— 
Ruch the great Author of existence must have seen would resuU 
from the madness of ambition and infatuation. 

The view of Nature's vision, exiubits her children, the origi- 
nal heirs of this vast region, stretching from the isle of Terra Del 
Fuego, to the icy barriers near I'-he north pole, whose natural dis- 
position seems friendly, courteous, and hospitable, driven by 
usm-pation and the fangs of tyranny to despair. Their habits 
mid customs through childhood and hifancy naturally lead to 
cruelty; their untutored minds know no bounds, when roused, 
to fierceness by repeated wrongs ■; the hatchet, the tomahawk 
mid sca[])ing Icnife. slaughter, death, and extermination, are 
Llieir instant resort lor redress. All tlie horrors of savage war- 
foi'e, traverse the western continent— -intrigue, treason, treache- 
ry, skulking by night and by day ; burning, destroying, butch- 
ering fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and children, without 
distinction to age, sex, and condition ; sp>orting with lilc to malve 
it more miserable, wading through bloody and regarding neither 
tlie cries of innocence, tears of mothers, or entreaties of fathers: 
liorrors whole form their height of merriment. Even devils 
must blush at their enormities. In batth^ after battle, Avhite men 
and Indians endeavored to rival each other in carrying ruin, da- 
vastation and cruelty to the highest pitch of perfection ; deceiv- 
ing, lying, betraving, often, too often die rulinir passijOU..Qf both 



43 A?? ATWERTCAN FIELFJ OP MARS. 

panics. The forests of America, from the Atlantic to the Rocky 
Mountains, record the bloody tragedies of hundreds of years 
past. , ■ • 

One vast scene of destruction Nature saw following the ad- 
vance of the whites, from their first landing, westward. Oh the 
li'ontiers no dny, hour, or minute, w.jis safe. The firc-side, the 
liekl, the forest, were alike exposed. The midnight hour often, 
very often, witnessed a scene that defi'es the power of language 
or the pen of inspiration to describe. A horde of savages, more 
blood-thirsty than the tiger, burstins; upon our slumbers, open- 
ing our doors with the weapons of destruction, the war-whoop 
and all itie yells of enraged demons awakening the family to cer- 
tain death. AVhile the family, murd'ered and scalped, are scattered 
here and there, bleeding and mangled, the house is in flames, 
Llic Vi^Jnds bear to tieaven the pitious cries and moans of the 
butchered family, mingled M-^ith the yells, the screams, and horrid 
sounds of monsters in human shape, who know not mercy and" 
regard not suppliants', prayers. Here ends the vision, relative to 
the Indians. 

That degraded and enslaved people, the negTOcs, next appear- 
ed in vision, claiming commisscration. Torn from their homes, 
tlieir fothers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and friends — hunted, 
dragged, bound, bulfeted, whipped, half starved, wretched be- 
ings — by rullians who disgrace their species, and who should be 
covered with eternal infamy — crammed into ships, and borne 
away like merchandize or cattle : whipped, lacerated, and threa- 
tened with death, lor complaining ; carried to some foreign mar- 
ket, and there sold for life to some nabob whose very existence is 
an abomination to freedom, to drag out their days under the 
lash of some bravado, whose very breath taints the air of Amer- 
ica — while the bereft parents, brothers, and sisters, lament tlie 
fai'lorn condition of their friends and companions. Nature saw 
oppression land on the western shores, and raise its gigantic 
form to view. At sight of which, freedom's sons recoiled, and 
cried, "Out, death!" Its advance was soon met by freedom in 
^iTinSf and. after a severe struggle of seven long years, it retired 



REMARKS ON NATUREs's VISION. 43 

in part from the western continent, to its ancient abode where 
emperors and kings triumpli, only in folly and extravagance. 

This severe shock to oppression, Nature saw above three hun- 
dred years before, would level all titles, dignities, and honors, to 
t he mere existence of a rich name, without real merit as an endor- 
ser to its worth and value. 

Experience is the best looking-glass in nature. The theory 
tyrants must learn. The practical part freedom's sons will soon 
teach all kings, emperors, and despotic powers. 

Here Vision saw this land of freedom, stained witli the sable 
siiade of African's in bondage. She sighed at a sight so repug- 
nant to the laws of humanity, and against the former avowed 
principles of her white children in their thirteen united colo- 
nies. Shall Americans cause mother Nature to lament, by sanc- 
tioning slavery, so detestable to the feelings, and so obnoxious 
to their rights in 1775. The clanking of chains, the voice of b. 
hard-hearted master, the threats of a negro driver, are sounds 
chilling to the ear of humanity, and such as when nature heard 
she condeimied in so loud a voice that the world responded ; 
who instantly summoned a council of all nations to investigate 
the right of slavery. The result was, from nearly every nation, 
to strike from all their records the stigma of that phrase, while 
tiie remains of that once terrrific monster, oppression, are- dwin- 
dled to a mere lizzard. And I am afraid its skeleton will have 
to die with our southern brethren ; where the stench of its body 
has already so polluted the atmosphere that the skins of the 
wliites are fast changing to a sable crimson blush, for the enor- 
mities of their afuilt. 



NATURE'S VISION, 



IK'aturc in vision saAv the scene ; 

Before her lay a vast display ; 
Towns and cities spread the ^jrcen, 

And ships and navies crowd the bay. 
Towers and bulwarks of defence. 

Concourse of men in fierce array ; 
Hujje brazen sfates and cities fenced 

To keep out human beast of prey ; 
Fierce mad-men threatening war's alarm, 

Wieldinir death's instruments to show 
I'heir power in visionary forms, 

To rend the elements below ; 
Battle's dire rage, slaughter and death, 

On foot and horse, confusion reigns. 
Blood stained the future page and path. 

While cursed oppression rivets chains. 
She saw the strong with marble hearts, 

Tiiat tiger sucked, in human shapes, 
Regardless of the wounds and smai'ts 

Of sn])])liauts Avaiting at their gate. 
Fields strown with dead and dying men, 

Arms, shields, and helmets, o'er the gi'oiuid 
While thundering cannon shake the plain, 

And echo back a solemn somid. 
Cities besieged and towers destroyed. 

Armies on armies charsre with ire ; 
All stratagems and sclicmes employed 

To blow a spark into a lire. 
She saw the children of her wilds 

Reduced and driven from their lands. 



nature's visiox. 45 

Retreat and flying from her isles : 

Dejected raise their suppliant hands. 
They mourn their fate ; in silence wail. 

She sees and hears their sighs and moans. 
Their courage and their bravery fails, 

As they are driven from their homes ; 
Rank hatred mad, boiling with rage, 

And treacherous arts, disgrace the name 
Oppression build, an iron age, 

And blacken history's future fame. 
She sees her valleys stained with blood, 

The war-whoop hears, and sees the dance ; 
From where the villages once stood. 

The smoke and ruins on her glance ; 
She hears the horrid sound of war, 

Alarms, ambushes and parades ; 
The dreadful screams, and sounds afar, 

Of red and white in battle's rage ; 
She sees death ride in martial sway ■ 

Through the vast western wilderrsess ; 
Her forests tremble with dismay, 

To hear the groans of the distressed. 
The midnight hour and silent gloom 

Assigned the weary limbs to rest, 
Screen villanies, and many a home 

The scene of innocence distressed ; 
She sees the blazing cottage burn. 

The husband, wife, and family, 
Butchered, slaughtered, and forlorn, 

In all the scenes of misery ; 
A savage man, frantic with rage, 

No cruel scenes could satisfy 
The barbarous mind of man enraged, 

Death, hell, and devils all defy. 
She sees her Afric's sons enslaved, 

And hears heart rending sobs and grief; 



46 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF M.VRS. 

Wliile lamentation's passions rave, 

And implore death ^o grant relief ;. 
She heats the Afric parents mourn, 

Their cries and frantic scenes of griel, 
For children fjfom their bosoms torn, 

By ruffians savage as the beast. 
Brothers lament their parents dear, 

Their sisters dragged to slavery ; 
Sisters their parents, brotliers, hear, • 

In all the scenes of agony. 
Oppressioai's bold and reckless prow; 

Raised its huge head on Wdstern shores. 
And forward march and minions bow 

To her terrific form of powers. 
Columbia's banner instaiit rose, 

And floats majestic \n the air ; 
She saw it triumph o'er her foes, 

And knows her God is with it there. 
Vice stalks, a monster bold and huge. 

Weighed down to eai'th by scenes of guilt, 
"VYliile all her laws are subterfuge, 

And all lier ways a worthless gilt. 
The t^a-ant's arm hath lost its strength ; 

She vievi'"s its fast declining power ; 
The spangled banner rose at length. 

Ominous of that fatal hour. 
She saw Columbia's sons arise 

Against oppression's cruel laws ; 
Their independence reiilize, 

In God. the grand efficiewt cause. 
In vision, Britain's lofty throne 

Trembled beneath fair liberty ; 
And tyrants dread the rising storm 

That nmst decide their destiny. 
Here, here, kind nature deeply sighed, 

And viewed oppression's tj'agedy ; 



nature's vision. 47 



She heard the voice of them who cried, 

From this fair land, America : 
She hears the neo-ro clank his chain, 

Arid g^oan'byiieath' a heaVy' yoke ; 
Slic sees him driven o'er the plain, 

By those who liad their fetters broke : 
She saw the tiger in the breast 

Of freedom's sons, where liberty 
Onght to supplant this vicious guest, 

In image of the Deity : 
She saw the Indians sore oppressed, 

And hears them call on God for aid : 
Suppliant they claim their fathers rest 

Of liberty's illustrious maid. 



THE LANDING OF COLUMBUS 
In, the neir world, Oct, 12, 1492, on the Island of St. Salvador 



The vision ends, the seene renews ; 

Columbus witli liis little baud, 
With thankful hearts the landscape view - 

Make their arrauireuients soou to luud^ 
While distant natives line the shore, 

A new novelty to see- — 
Strangers arrived, displayiug power 

As they suppose from Deity. 
Wonder, at the sight before them, 

Presents a scene entirely uqw. 
From whence or where the strangers came 

They know not. Fearful the view. 
Trembliug seized these sons of nature. 

While the boats prepared to land ; 
Anxious view tlf approaching strangers,. 

On the shore's- deserted strand. 
Colinnbus and his brave companions 

View the new and novel scene, , 
Natives, naked, see them landing. 

Timorous fly along the green, 
Simi-jle nature dressed their features , 

Simple nature was their store , 
Their customs, manners, and their natures, 

Are the habits nature wore. 

Joy in every face sat smiling ; 

Te Deum bursts from every voice ; 
Thanksgiving — with a heart relying 

On (1 God they all rejoice. 



LANDING OP COLUMBUS. 

Fourteen hundred ninety-two, 

October twelfth records the day- 
History's page begins a new, 

IHustrious theme — America. 
At sun-rise on this pleasant morn 

Columbus with his little baud 
With colors flying rich adorned, 

Their boats witli seamen all are mrmned, 
With warlike music they advrnce, 

And marslial pomp their power display, 
As they approach with sword and lance 

The astonished natives flee away. 
Columbus, chief of bold adventures, 

Efurope's first and native son 
Who set foot on St. Salvador, 

Anew world commenced. At rising sun. 
His seamen bow and kiss the groiuid 

Which they so long desired to see. 
They thanked Jehovah, and the sound 

Arose from earth to Deity, 
In honor to Emanuel's name 

W^ho died upon Mount Calvary ; 
They erect a cross, declare his fame 

To tliy lone wilds, America ; 
They formally possession take 

Of this, ths first discovered isle, 
And claim in this vast western lake 

Discoverer's right to land and soil. 
The coyish natives are at first 

Timorous as the flying deer ; 
Soon the fears of nature hushed. 
And on friendly terms appear ; 
Gentle their aspect and their mien, 

Friendship and liberality. 
Courteous their manners and serene^ 

A native, kind morality. 

I-/ 
i 



19 



50 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

Wild nature planted at their root. 

Dormant, asleep, till passion's sway 
Houses the latent spark and shook 

Its fury o'er the blaze of day ; 
Savage by custom, fierce and wild, 

Jealous, suspicious, ignorant, 
, AVhen roused to war, this dreadful cliild 

Seemed devil or some demon sent ; 
The ieuds of jealousy soon broke 

The cord of friendship's pleasing band, 
And murder gave the fatal stroke. 

When licll's black captain took command. 
Scenes of barbarity and rage 

Tliat history fain would wish to screen, 
Stamps, stamps America's last age, 

And stands conspicuous to be seen. 
Oppression raised her horrid crest. 

An iron age of ruthless fame ; 
The savage of the wilderness 

Might of his mercies loud complain. 
This monster of gigantic birth, 

thirst born of all tyrannic sway 
That swims by sea or stalks the earth. 

That walks by night or skulks by day — 
Tremendous engine in the hand 

Of bigotry and tyrant power, 
Wlierc church and state m any land 

Leagued in embrace, mankind devour. 
Columbus spent his useful life 

His country's honor, to advance, 
Opression's cursed and hateful rise 

Robbed him of fame's illustrious charm. 
His name recorded deep, shall live 

While memory lasts and time endures, 
A ti-ibute which the muses give, 

And liberty his fame secures. 



LANDING OF COLUMBUS. 

Deep in thy breast, America ! 

Lament the base and cruel deed 
That Ferdinand'^aiid vanity 

Against Cokimbus had decreed. 
Fame spread her wings and echo rolled, 

And wonder her vast story told ; 
The tidings spread on ever]^ gale. 

That over land or ocean sail. 
Soon the news came to adventurers 

Of discovery's opening field, 
And those seas that swarm with dange 

To the power of genius yield. 
Nations vie, in competition, 

Ships and navies plow the main, 
Golden views, anticipation, 

Leads their vessels home again. 
Columbus, stripped of his protection- 
Isabella, Q-ueen, is dead. 
And a storm of black detraction 

Soon was gathering o'er his head. 
Robbed of the honor which he merits, 

Amerl.:us supplants his name ; 
The title which he just inherits 

Registers another's claim. 
Blush ! Europe, Asia, Africa, 

The world records the deed you've done, 
Time cannot alter the decree 

Nor Yiovi repay earth's vv'orthy son ; 
Consigned to dust his body lies, 

His memory long as time shall live ; 
Proud monuments of art may rise. 

But can't a name to memoiy give. 
Struggling with an iron age 

Ho spent his life in servitude ; 
He had blind ignorance to engage, 
And superstition's faithless brood. 



SI 



EXPEDITION OF COKTEZ, 

And Spanish Cniolties in Mexico and SoiitJi America. 



Cortez landed in Mexico on die 27th of April, 1518, and on 
10th of August began his inarch for its capital witli five hundred 
foot, fifteen horse, and six field pieces. He first engaged the 
Tlascalans, a numerous and warlike people, who were obliged 
to yield to the power of his arms. Being enemies to the Mexi- 
cans they made a treaty with the Spaniard, and joined his little 
army. Cortez, with his troops, accompanied by six thousand of 
his new allies, advanced on Mexico. Montezuma sent messen- 
gers to meet and welcome him as a guest Vv'ith rich presents, 
(though sometimes the messenger endeavored to induce him to 
retire.) Such was the indecision of the Mexican monarch 
whether to receive him as a frieud or an encm^', till lie arrived 
at the gate of the city. 

Mexico is situated on an island in a lake, accessible by three 
causeways, on wliicli Cortez and his army approached near the 
city, where they were met by one thousand persons richly 
adorned, who announced Montezuma's approach. Montezuma 
soon followed, seated in a chair of state, richly ornamented witli 
gold, carried by four of his principal olPicers. while others sup- 
]K)rted a canopy over his head. Thus did Montezuma intro- 
duce the destroyer of his kingdom, life, and happiness, into his 
capital. He conducted this inhuman wretch and murderer into 
the city, assigned hiiu and iiis army quarters, and treated them 
a.s friends. But read the black designs of ingratitude. Cortez 
planted his artillery, arranged his hcilish purposes, and plotted 
destruction under the mask of hypocrisy, while the' innocent 
Montezuma and subjects were feasting them and mailing them 
rich presents. In the nii^^X of friendly intercourse this imp of 



• Rif. EXPEDITION OF CORTEZ. 53 

his satanic majesty resolved to seize the poor old king* and im- 
f)risoii one whose only motive and wish was friendship, and 
wrest from him his gold and dominions. Alas ! intelligent na- 
ture bled, and humanity wept at the butchery. 

(Jortez accused Montezuma of being the author of an outrage 
on the Spaniards near Vera Cruz, which Montezuma with aston- 
ishment denied, and convinced Cortez of his innocence. Yet he 
demanded of him to go to the Spanisli camp ; which Montezun).-i 
earnestly remonstrated against — but in vain. Ho was obliged 
to inform his people that he intended to take up his quarters 
amongst his new friends. When it was* known that the Span- 
iards were carrying off their Emperor they broke out into the 
v.'ildest transport of rage and threatened the immediate destruc- 
tion of the Spaniards; but Montezuma declaring it to be an act 
.of his own choice, they dispersed. 

' Pilontczuma, i'iox\^ a prisoner, was obliged to acknov/ledse him- 
self a vassal to tlie King of Spain, and pay for his base treatment 
with rich and valuable presents to this inquisitorial master. 
I'he Mexicans, aroused to vengeance by repeated wrongs, at- 
tacked Cortez in his quarters with all the fury of desperation. 
Cortez astonished at this event, seeing those who submitted 
at lirst so tamely to the foreign yoke, rise at once, fearless 
of death hurled amongst them from the Spanish cannon, and 
rush lilic a torrent on his quarters, made two desperate sal- 
iics, lost twelve of his men, and being wounded himself, gained 
little advantage of the foe. No resource was left but to make 
use of the captive Emperor to quell the insurrection. Montezu- 
ma was brought in royal pomp to the battlements and compelled 
to address the people. But their fury rose above all restraint. 
Volleys of stones v/ounded the unfortunate Montezuma, who fell 
imder a pressure of grief, to rise no more. Seeing their Emjic- 
ror fall, they fled in horror. He was carried to the Spanish 
(juarters, where weary of life, he refused to take nourishment, 
and died in a itw days. Thus tbc base hand of cruelty has 
])rostratcd, and still prostrates, the pleasing liope of the poor ♦ 
wandering sons of the forest, once lords of tbe soil on whicli we 



84 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

now live. The death of Montezuma was followed by a war oi 
extermination. The during spirit and bravery of the Mexicans 
soon convinced Cortez that he mnst be overwhelmed by num- 
bers, and that a retreat was liis only safety. It was effected in 
tiie night, but not without great loss. The Mexicans were in 
arms, the bridge over which they must pass was broken down., 
and his army hemmed in on all sides. The confusion was uni- 
versal. The shouts, the yells, and the courage of the Mexicans, 
gave horror to the scene. The lake was covered with canoes, 
crowded by men, driven to madness and fury. The Indians 
seemed irresistible. Cortez, in the mean time, Avith a part of his 
soldiers cut his way through the enemy ; while others, whom 
the Mexicans had taken alive, were dragged away to be sacrifi- 
ced to the god of war. 

In this fatal retreat, which is yet distinguished in New Spain 
by the name of Noche Triste, or the night of sorrow, not less 
than half of the Spaniards, with al)Ove tv.-o thousand l^lasca- 
lans were killed ; many officers of distinction also perished, a- 
mong whom was Velasquez de L.eon, considered as the second 
person in the army, and in daring courage not inferior to Cortez 
himself. All the artillery, amnmnition, and baggage were losl; 
aiid only a small portion of the treasure which they had a- 
massed was saved. The whole empire was now in arms, and 
Cortez having reviewed his shattered battalions, continued his 
retreat towards Tlascala, the only place where he could hope for 
friendly reception. He met with no opposition till he reached the 
valley of Otumba, where the whole force of the Mexicans was 
concentrated. Wlien the Spaniards had gained the summit of 
an eminence, they saw the spacious valley through which they 
were obliged to pass, covered with an army extended as far as 
the eye could reach. At the sight of this immense, multitude, 
tlie Spaniards were astonished, and even the boldest were in- 
clined to despair. But Cortez, without allowing time for their 
fears to gain sircngth by reflection, brielly reminded them that 
no alternative remained, but to conquer or xVw ; and instantly 
led them to the charge. The Mexicans waited their approach 



EXPEDITION OF CORTEZ. 55 

with inflexible firmness. Notwithstanding the superiority of 
European discipUne and arms, the Spaniards, tliough successful 
in every attack, were ready to sink under the repeated etforts.of 
innumerable multitudes. But Cortez, observing the great stand- 
ard of the empire, which was carried before the Mexican gene- 
ral, and recollecting to have heard that on its fate the issue of 
every battle depended, put himself at tb.e head of a few ot" his 
bravest officers, and pushed forward with an impetuosity that 
bore down all before it, to the place where lie saw it displayed. 
Cortez, having brought the Mexican general to the ground with 
a stroke of his lance, the select body of guards was broken, and 
the imperial standard disappeared. At this spectacle, the Mexi- 
cans were struck with a universal panic, and fled with precipi- 
tation to the mountains. 

The day after the battle of Otumba, the Spaniards reached 
the territories of the Tlascalans, their allies, who being implaca- 
ble enemies of the Mexican name, continued faithful to Cortez 
in this reverse of his fortune. Here he had an interval of rest 
and tranquility, that was extremely necessary for curing the 
wounded and for recruiting the strength of his soldiers ; exhaust- 
ed as they were by a long scries of hardships and fatigues. 
During this smpension of military operations, he recruited his 
battalions with one hundred and eighty adventurers, newly ar- 
rived trom Spain, and the islands ; and obtained possession of 
some artillery and ammunition, which had been sent by Velas- 
quez for the use of the army of Narvaez, and had been seized iiy 
the officer, v/hom Cortez had lelt in command at Vera Cruz. 
Having received these reinforcements, he resolved to recom- 
mence the war, and attempt the reduction of Mexico. But a.s 
lie knew this to l^e impracticable, unless ne could secure 
the command of the lake, he gave orders to prepare in t!ui 
mountains of Tlascala, materials for constructing twelve brigan- 
tines, which were to be carried thither ia pieces, ready to be juit 
together, and launched when it should bo found necessary. 

On the twenty-eighth of December, 152(\, Cortez began his 
second marcji towards IMexico, at the head of live hundred and 



•86 AN AMERICAN FIKLD OF MARS. 

fifty Spanisli foot, and forty horse, with ten thousand Tlasca- 
lans, and a train of nine field pieces. The Mexicans, however, 
were not iinprei>arcd for his reception. On tlic deatli of Monte- 
zuma, their nobility, in wliom the right of eljctins;' the Emperor 
appears to have been vested, had raised his brother. QuetlRvncn< 
to the throne. The courage and conduct of this prince had 
been displayed in the direction of those attacks by which the 
^Spaniards had been obliged to retreat from his copitai ; nnd 
lie took the most prudent and vigorous measures for pre- 
venting their return : but, while he was arranging his plans of 
defgnce, with a degree of foresight uncommon in an aboriginal 
An'iericiui. he died of the small-pox ; a disorder unknown in thai 
quarter of the globe, until it Avas introduced by th^ Eilropeans. 
In his stead, the Mexicans elected Guutimozin, nepliew, and son- 
in-law of Montezuma, a young prince of distinguished abilitif'S 
and valor. CortC': having advanced to Tezcuco, a city )iear the 
lake of Mexico, and about twenty miles distant from that capital, 
Avas near seeing all his vast plans of conquest defeated, by ft 
clangorous conspiracy among his troops; many of whom, on a 
netn- vicvx'- of the dilSculties which the/ had to encomiter, in- 
atlackhig a city of so difficult access r.s ]\Iexico, had foTnied 
the design of assassinating him and his principalibfllcers, and of 
conlerrhig tlie command on some ether, by wliomtJiis desperate 
project M'ould be relinquished. Tlie conspiracy^ however, be- 
ing detected, and the mutinous spirit of the troops allayed, by 
the consummate ]!rudence and lirnn:!ess of tlie general, the pre- 
parations for the attack of Tdexico were carried on with imaniin- 
ity and ardor. In the space of three months, the materials foi' 
the construction of the brigantines were completed, and carried 
liom the mountains of Tlascala to Tezcuco, on the lake of PdcT- 
ico. a distance of above sixty miles, by ten thousand men. escort - 
ed l)y fifteen tliousand Tlascalan warriors, and two hundred and 
fi ft y'cn Spaniards. A great number of Indians, also, were cm - 
ployed, during the space of two months, in widening the rivuFet 
whifh ran from Tezcuco to the lake, and forming- it into a navi- 
jrable canal, near two miles in lenoth. About tlie same time, tlu^ 



EXPEDITION OF CORTEZ. 57" 

aifmy received a reinforcement of two hundred Spanish soldiers, 
ds^hty horses, and two pieces of battering- cannon, with a con- 
sidcrablo supply of arms and ammunition ; all of wliicli had been 
procured' in Hispaniola, by the agents of Cortez in tliat island. 
'■ The brigantines were now put tog-ether and launclicd; and 
'■erccvy preparation \vas made for the sicg-o. The Spaniards 
were already posted at Tezcuco ; and their first step was to take 
}X)Ssession of Tacuba and Cuoyocan ; the cities which coni- 
luanded the other two causeways. This thoy effected witli little 
oj)posiiion, as the inhabitants had fled into Mexico, wliere the 
wliole force of the nation was concentrated. The first effort ol 
tlic Mexicans was to destroy the brigantines ; but their niftne- 
rous canoes were soon disfrcrsed, and the Spaniards, after a 
great' slaughter of the enemy, v/cre left masters of the lake- 
The siege having continued a whole mojitli, during which time 
one furious conflict had succeeded another ; and many of the 
Spaniards being killed, more of them wounded, and all of them 
ready to sink under the pressure of unremitted fatigue,; Cortcz, 
in consideration of these circumstances, resolved to make a 
gxand effort to obtain possession of the city. 

In consequence of this resolution, a general attack was made 
by the tb.rce causev/ays. Cortez himself led the divison whicli 
advanced by the causev/ay Cuoyocan ; while the* tv.'o others 
were commanded by Sandoval, and Alvaredo ; two officers of 
distinguished bravery. The Spaniards pushed forward vv^ith an 
impetuosity that bore down all opposition, and forced their way 
over the canals and barricadoes, into the city. Guatimozin, 
now seeing the Spaniards within his capital, and observing that 
tliey liad neglected to fill up the great breach in the causeway 
of Cuoyocan, although Cortez had stationed an officer there for 
tliat purpose, commanded his troops to slacken their efibrts, and 
to sufler the Spaniards to advance into the heart of the city, 
while he despatched bands of select warriors, by different rou^es^ 
to intercept their retreat. On a signal given by the Emperor, 
the priests at the principal temple struck the great drum con- 
secrated to the god of war. No sooner did the Mexicans hear 
8 



■58 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

its solemn and impressive sound, calculated to inspire them 
witli a contempt of death, and an enthusiastic ardor, than they 
rusiicd on tiie enemy with frantic rage. The Spaniards were 
obliged to retire ; and, in the scene of confusion whic.h ensued, 
six ]\Texican captains, having seized on Cortez, were carrying 
him off, when two of his oflicers rescued Iiim, at the expense of 
their own lives: but not till after he had received several dang- 
erous wounds. Above sixty Spaniards perished in this second 
retreat ; and forty of tliesc fell, alive, into the hands of an enemy 
never known to show mercy to a captive. These unfortunate 
men were dragged in triumph to the temple, and sacrificed to the 
god of wire. 

Aftir this dreadful disaster, Cortez changed his mode of attack^ 
and, inb.tcad of attempting to become master of the city, at a 
single stroke, contented himself with making gradual approach- 
es. The three divisions recommenced the attack, but proceed- 
ed with great circumspection. As the Spaniards advanced along 
the causeways, the Indian allies repaired the breaches behind 
tliem : ^d as soon as they got possession of any part of the 
city, the houses were immediately levelled with the ground. 
Incredible numbers of the Mexicans fell in these conflicts, which 
were every day renewed. The survivors experienced all tho 
horrors of famine, as their stores were exhausted by the multi- 
tudes that had flocked to the capital, to defend their sovereign, 
a2id the temples of their gods ; and tiio Spaniards, with their 
allies, were masters of the lake, and of all the avenues that led 
to the city. 

The invaders continuing their progress, all the three divisions 
•of their army at last met in the great square, in tho centre of tho 
-city, where tlicy made a secure lodgement. Tin-ce-fou'lhsof 
Mexico were now laid in ruins, and the remaining quarter wag 
so hard pressed, that it could not long resist the efforts of tho 
assailants. At tliis juncture, Guatimozin was taken by the bri- 
gantineson the lake, in attempting to make his escape in a ca- 
noe. As soon as tlic capture of the emperor was known, the re- 
sistance of the Mexicans ceased ; and Cortez took possession o( 



EXPEniTION OF CORTEZ, 59 

the small part of the city that was not destroyed. Thus termina- 
ted the siege of Mexico, after having- continued seventy-five 
days, scarcely one of which passed without some extraordinary 
eflbrt of attack or defence. The Spaniards, as maybe expected, 
wore elated wit!i joy, by the completion of their difricult conquest, 
and the expectation of sharing immense spoils. But in the latter 
respect, they were miserably disappointed. Guatimozin foresce- 
ing his impending fate, had caused the riches amassed by his 
ancestors to bo thrown into the lake ; and instead of becoming 
master of the treasures of Montezuma, and the spoils of the tem- 
ples, the conqu.erors could collect only a tmall booty amidst ruin 
and desolation. The Spaniards exclaimed loudly against their 
general, whom they suspected of appropriating the greatest part 
of the spoils to his own use, as well as against Guatimozin, 
whom they accused of obstinately concealing his treasures. In 
order to allay this ferment, Cortez consented to a deed that sul- 
lied all the glory of Iiis actions. He suffered the royal captive 
with his principal miiiister to be put to the rack, in order to 
oblige him to discover the place where his riches were conceal- 
ed. The unhappy monarch bore his sufferings with all the 
firmness of a hero, and when liis minister uttered some com- 
plaint, he asked, "Am /now reposing on abed of roses." Tho 
favorite, stung with remorse, persevered in dutiful silence, and 
expired. Cortez ashamed of so horrid a scene, rescued the roy- 
al victim from the hands of his torturers. The unfortunate 
Guatimozin being some time afterwards suspected of forming a 
scheme to throw off the Spanish yoke, was by Cbrtez condemn- 
ed to bo hanged, together with the Caziques of Tezcuco, and 
Tacuba, two persons of the greatest eminence in the empire. 
The success of Cortez and the splendor of his conquest, pro- 
cured him from tlie emperor Charles V. the viccroyalty of Mex- 
ico, in spite of the claim of Velasquez, and the insinuations of 
his other enemies. 



e« 



PIZARROS EXPEDITION LXTO PERU. 



When Pizarro first landed in Perti. tlio civil war belu'^een (lie 
"two brothers was not terminated ; and neither of the competitors 
paid any attention to the operations of an enerny, whose number 
iippcared to them too inconsiderable to excite alarm. By this 
coincidence of events, the Spaniards penetrated to the centre of 
Peru, without opposition, and then met with only a feeble resis- 
tance from a disunited and disaffected people. Pizarro immedi- 
ately advanced towards Caxamarca, atov/n near which Atahualpa 
was encamped. On the road he was met by an olFicer, bearing 
a valuable present from the Inca, with an offer of peace and 
alliance. Pizarro, following the example of Cortez, in Mexico, 
announced himself as the ambassador of a powerful monarch, 
Wiio courted the friendship of the Inca ; and declared that he was 
ndvancins: to offer him his assistance against all those wlio should 
dispute his title to the crown. On entering Caxamarca, Pizarro 
took possession of a strong post in the tOMm, and sent a message to 
Atahualpa, v/hose camp was about a mile distant from that place. 
The messengers v.'^ere instructed to confirm his former declara- 
tion of pacific intentions, and to request an interview with the 
Inca, lor the purpose of explaining the motives that induced 
him to visit his country. On their arrival at the Peruvian camp^ 
tiiey were treated vv^tli the most respectful hospitality, and the 
Inca promised to visit the Spanish commander the next day at 
his quarters. The vast profusion of wealth v.iiich they ob- 
served in the Inca's camp, struck the messengers with astonish- 
luetit. On their return to Caxamarca, they gave such a descrij)- 
tion of it to their countrymen, as excited at once their wonder 
nnd avarice. 

From his own observation of American manners, find ideas, as 
well as from the advantages which Corte? had derived from seiz- 



yiZ.AjRRo's EXPEDITION. 61 

ing Moriteziima, Pijtarro knew of wlmt coiiseqiiance it would 
be to have the Inca in his power ; and immediatdiy made his ar- 
rangements for seizing on his person, at the appr-oaahing inter- 
view. His troops were disposed in the most advantageous man- 
ner, and kept in readiness for action. The next day: Atahualpa 
appeared in all the pomp of barbarous magnificence^ with seve- 
ral hundreds of attendants, and seated on a throne almost cov- 
ered with gold and silver, carried on tJie shoulders of his princi- 
pal officers. Several bands of singers and dancers accompanied 
the procession, and the plain was covered wiCh. his troops, a- 
mountiiig to about thirty thousand in number. The interview 
was conducted in an extraordinary manner on the part of th« 
Spaniards. As the Inca drew near to their quarter, Father Val- 
verde, chaplain to t'le expedition, advanced with a crucifix in 
one hand, and a breviary in the other, and began a long dis- 
course, explaining to him the christian religion, requiring him U> 
embrace its doctrines, and acknowledge the king of Spt.in as his 
5;overcign. This extraordinary harangue, confused rather than 
explained by an unskilful interpreter, filled the Inca with sur- 
j)rise and indignation. Of his own dominions he declared him- 
self the absolute master; and with regard to religious matters, he 
expressed a wish to know where the Spaniards had learned such 
singular doctrines. '-'In this book," answered Valverde, reach- 
ing to him his breviary. The Inca opened it with eager curiosi- 
ty, and turning over the leaves, lifted it to his ear, and listened 
with serious attention. -'This."' said he, "is silent — it tells me 
nothing," and threw it with disdain on the ground. The Monk 
immediately cried out, "To arms, Christians, to arms; the word 
of God is insulted." Pizarro at that instant gave the signal of 
attack. The martial nmsic struck up, the cannon and musquet- 
ry began to fire, and both horse and foot made a furious charge. 
It is easier to conceive than describe the amazement and conster- 
nation of the Peruvians, at an attack which they so little expect- 
ed. Dismayed at the destructive effects of the fire-arms, and the 
irresistible charge of the cavahy, they fled in the utmost confi;- 
KJon. Pizarro, at the head of a chosen band, rushed forward 



6S AN amghican field of mars. 

and seized the Inca. About four thousnnd Peruvians foil iu tliLs 
fatftl rencounter. Not a single Spaniard was eitlicr killed or 
wounded, except Piznrro liitnself M'ho received a sliijlit Avound in 
his li;uid. The conduct of their countrymen in this transaction 
is condemned by all the Spanish historian?. 

The plnndor of the field and camp was rich, beyond any idea 
which the Spaniards had yet Ibrnied of the wealth of Peru, and 
they passed the night in the extravagant exultation natural to 
indigent adventurers, on so great and so sudden an acquisition 
of weallii. 'i'he captive monarch in tiie meanwhile, soon dis- 
covered the ruling passion of the invaders, and hoped by gratify- 
ing their avarice to regain his liberty. The room in which he 
was confined was twenty-two feet in length, by sixteen in breadth, 
and he oiierod to fill it as high as he could reach, v/ith vessels of 
gold. Pizai-ro closed eagerly with the proposal, and the Inca 
immediately took measures for fulfilling his jiart of the agree- 
ment, and sent messengers to Cuzco, Quito, and other places, to 
collect the gold amassed in the temples, and in tb.e palaces of tlie 
Incas. At the same time, apprehending that his brother Huas- 
car, who was ke})tin confinement, might engage the Spaniards 
to espouse his cause, he despatched private orders for his execu- 
ti'on, and th.^se, like his other commands, were punctually 
obeyed. 

Pizarro, in his compact with Atahualpa, appears to have had 
no other intention than that of inducing him to collect, by his 
autkority, the whole wealth of his kingdom. Among various 
circumstances which concurred to accelerate the catastrophe of 
tlic unfortunate Inca, one of a singular nature is related by the 
Spanish historians. Of all the European arts, that which lie 
most admired was the use of letters ; but he was uncertain wheth- 
er it was a mitural or an acquired talent. In order to determine 
the point, lie desired one of the soldiers to write the name of God, 
and then showed it to others, of whom several could read. At 
Icni^lh he exhibited it to Pizarro, who, never having learned to 
read, was obliged to confess his ignorance. From that moment, 
Ataliualpa rega.rdcd the commander in chief as a mean person^ 



1>IZARR0'S EXPEDITION. 63 

l^ss instructed than many of his soldiers ; and he had not the 
address to conceal his sentiments on the suhject. This mortiliod 
the pride of Pizarro, and operated as an additional motive to 
induce him to hasten the destruction of the Inca. It was, ho^r- 
ever, deemed recpiisite to give a legal appearance to the transac- 
tion. A •court of justice was formed : Pizarro and Almagro sat 
as judges. Belbre this singular tribunal, Atahualpa was accused 
of usurping the throne, of putting his brother, and lawful sove- 
reign, to death, and of various other crimes. To judges prcde- 
termuied to condemn, slight evidence was suflicicnt. The un- 
fortunate prince was convicted, and sentenced to bo burnt alive. 
Astonished at his sentence, he used every means to avert hi» 
fate: he even consented to be baptised ; but his enemies wer© 
bent on his destruction. All he could obtain, was a mitigation; 
of punishment ; and instead of being burnt, he was strangled. 
Among those profligate adventurers, there were some who not 
only remonstrated, but protested against this barbarous proceed- 
ing ; but their endeavors were inefTectu.al, and the more violent 
faction prevailed. 

The treasure collected for the ransom of the Inca, had been 
immediately divided among the soldiers ; and there is no cMarn- 
plein history of so sudden an acquisition of v/ealth by military 
adventure. No less than eight thousand pesos, a sum at that 
time equivalent to considerably more than as many pounds ster- 
ling in tlic present century, fell to the share of cacli horseman ', 
and half as much, to each foot soldier, after the king's fifth had 
been deducted, and Pizarro, witli the ot'icr officers, had received 
shares projiotioncd to their rank. This abundance of wealthy. 
flowing all at once upon indigent adventurers, excited, in. many 
of them, a desire of retiring, to spend the rest of their days in 
opulence and ease. Pizarro readily gratified their wish, sensible 
that the sight of riches, so rapidly acquired, would allure fresh 
adventurers. He could not, indeed, have sent out better recruit- 
ing officers. No sooner were they arrived at Panama, wher>5 
they displayed their wealth to the view ot their astonished 
countrymen, than fame spread abro.id, with exaggeration, tha 



64 AN AMERICAN FIKLD 01-' MARS. 

accouut of their success. Tlie .spirit ol' utlvcntiire wiis excited 
beyond all former example ; and the governors of several pro- 
vinces lonnd ijveat ditiiculty in restrainiji<( the colonists i'rom 
nbandonini^ th(Mr ])ossessi()ns, to go intjiiost of the inexhausti- 
ble treasures of l\ru. In spite of every check, however, so 
many fresh adventurers resorted to the standard of Pizarro, tluit 
he began his march to C'uzco at the head of live hundred men, 
after leaving a considerable garrison in the fort of St. Michael. 
In his march, he was feebly opposed by two bodies of Peruvians^, 
but these he put to flight with oveat sUuigliter, and with very, 
little loss on his side. lie then marched forward to Cuzco, and 
met with no resistance in taking jjossession ot that caj)hal. Tlie 
riches found there, ev^^n after all that the natives had carried 
ofl', or concealed, exceeded in value what had been received lor 
the Inca's ransom. IJiit ;is the number of soldiers was greatei,; 
the shores were proportionably smaller. Each person, howeverj, 
received four thou;5and pesos, after th" l;i!i'r's filth, and tho 
shares ol' the olHcers, were deducted. 



TREACHERY AND CRUELTY OF CORTEZ. 



Oppression winged, pursued her game ; 

Tlic western wilds record the deed ; 
On Montczunui's fertile plain 

Where Mexicans by thousands bleed. 
Kind nature shudders to behold 

Dire tragedy's black catalogue ; 
Eacii day barbarities unfold, 

That cry for vengeance to a («od ; 
'While smoking fields of carnage speak 

And tell the widows' groans and sighs, 
While ghosts, ascending, look and weep 

To hear the orplian's pitious cries. 
The voice of nature, from her tower, 

Laments her children's cruelty , 
She sees the dreadful handed power. 

Of lawless gangs of infimy. 
While war, in all its horrid forms 

Of l)!(K)d, and slaughter, and deceit, 
The rcdiaui white with fury arms, 

Li conflict of most deadly hate. 
Montezuma's tragic drama 

Deep records the deadly ire ; 
Death to slavery says the army 

Burning with a marshal ire» 
Their spirit roused, all pity fled, 

A thrilling scorn ran through tlie ranks, 
-A sliower of stones soon lays him dead. 

Though once adored, and graced their ranks. 
Cortcz, famed aliero on our pages. 

Engaged in conquests cursed career, 
9 



6ft, AN AMEKICAS FIKLD OF MARS. 

Mad to reason, he engages 

Nature's rights —the sigh and tear. 
Gautiniozin's cruel sullerings, 

Stretched on a bed of coals, 
While his breast is proudly stifling 

What conceals his wealth and gold.' 
See him disdain the tyrant's offer ; 

Disclosure, force nor threats- extort — 
Heroic bravery under torture,. 

His favorite's protl'er stern retort. 
Cortez, ashamed of deeds so cruel, 

Blushed at the crime and bids Ibrbcnr, 
lleleased the roasted victnn, marred 

W^ith scars and wounds of dreadful ire. 
Slianie burn the face of every Christian 

Who sanctions scenes of cruelty. 
The church of Rome, that inquisition 

Of hell's infernal deity — 
Spain's horrid engine of despair, 

Iler inquisitions and her priests,^ 
A magazine of dread and fear, 

Where clergy and the idiot feasts. 



PIZARR08 ADVENTURE", 



Could South- America's vast scene 

Be but displayed, hinnanity 
Must, must revolt beiiind the screen. 

To view tlie scenes of butchery ; 
Peruvian soil stained deep with blood, 

Pizarro's treachery God insults ; 
Inca seized ; the purple flood. 

Their gold, the God, their priest consull> 
Avarice, that magazine of vice. 

Stained, stained, the sacradotul robe ; 
Peruvian gold they higher prized 

Than souls' salvation or their Ciod. 
The sun can witness a sad talc 

Of woe and wanton misery ; 
And nature sigli, lament and wail 

At opanish power in infamy. 
Heaven has chastised the Spanisli crown, 

Revolution and conspiracies 
Have humbled her once fair renown. 

To see and taste the dregs she gives. 



SCENES, 

Attending the first settling of America hy Europeans, in the 
Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries. 



The discovery of this continent, l^y Christopher CokimbnSy 
in 1492, gave a new impulse to commerce. The hardy and 
adventurous spirit of the age, awakened to new pursuits, soon 
ralUed imder the banners of England, France, Germany, Spain, 
and Portugal. Europe, at that day being thickly inhabited, saw 
a new door open for enterprize, and her energetic sons entered 
with zeal the lists of adventure, and determined to seek the 
smiles of fortune in this new world, then a howling wilderness 
from ocean to ocean, inhabited by nearly a new race of being's, 
whose customs and manners form a wonderful contrast with 
Europe's civilization. In order to convey a succinct idea of 
this period, and the two following centuries, I sliall in this place 
introduce the history of those times from the first volume ot 
Morse's Universal Geography. 

North America was discovered in the reign of Henry VII. 
a period when the arts and sciences had made very considera- 
ble progress in Europe. Many of the first adventurers were 
men of genius and learning, and were careful to preserve au- 
thentic records of such of their proceedings as would be interest- 
ing to posterity. These records alicrd ample documents for 
American historians. Perhaps no people on the globe, can 
trace the history of their origin and progress M'ith so much prer 
cision, as the inhabitants of North-America: particularly thai 
part of them v/ho inhabit the territory of the United States. 

1495.] The fame which Columbus had acquired by his fir* 
<liscoveries on this western continent, spread through Europe^ 
and inspired many with the spirit of enterprize. As early qb 
14.95, four years only after the first discovery of America, Johm 



FIRST SETTLING OF AMERICA. 69 

Cabot, a Venetian, obtained a grant or commission from Henry 
VII. to discover unknown lands and annex them to the crown. 

In the spring of 1496 he sailed from England with two ships, 
carrying with him his three sons. In this voyage, which was 
intended for China, he fell in with the north side of Terra Lab- 
rador, and coasted northerly as far as the 67th degree of latitude. 

1497.] The next year he made a second voyage to America 
with his son Sebastian, who afterwards proceeded in the discov- 
eries which his father had begun. On the 24th of June he dis- 
covered Bonavista, on the north east side of Newfoundland. 
Before his return he traversed the coast from Davis' Straits to 
Cape Florida. 

1502.] Sebastian Cabot was this year at Newfoundland ; and 
on his return, carried three of the natives of that island to King 
Henry VII. 

1513.] In the spring of 1513, John Ponce sailed irom Vovto 
Rico northerly, and discovered the continent in 30*^ 8 north 
latitude. He landed in April, a season when the country around 
wa3 covered witJi verdure, and in full bloom. This circum- 
stance induced him to call the country Florida, which, for 
many years, was the common name for North and South 
America. 

1516.] In 1516, Sir Sebastian Cabot and Sir Thomas Pert, 
explored the coast as far as Brazil in South-America. 

This vast extent of country, the coast of which was thus 
explored, remained unclaimed and unsettled by any European 
power, (except by the Spaniards in South-America) for almost 
a century from the time of its discovery. 

1524.] It was not till the year 1524, that France attempted 
discoveries on the American coast. Stimulated by his enterpris- 
ing neighbors, Francis I. who possessed a great and active mind, 
sent John Verrazano, a Florentine, to America, for the purpose 
of making discoveries. He traversed the coast from latitude 
28® to 50'^ north. In a second voyage, sometime after, he wa» 
lost. 

1525.] The next year Stephen Gomez, the first Spaniard 



70 AN AMERICAN rif:L« OF MARS. 

^v]lo cam»j upon the American coust for discovery, sailed I'loni 
(Jroyn; in 8pain, to Cuba and Florida, tlience iiorlliward U) 
Cape Ilazoor Race, in latitude 46'^ north, in search of a north- 
ern passage to the East Indies. 

1528.] Pamphilo de Narvaez, in the service of Spain ; sailed 
from Cuba with 400 men to conquer Florida ; but he was wreck- 
ed on tlie coast by a tempest, and his purpose defeated. 

1534.] in the spring of 1534, by the direction of Francis I. 
a fleet v/as fitted out at St. Malo's in France, with design to 
make discoveries in America. The command of this fleet w.'is 
given to James Cartier. He arrived at Newfoundland in May ot 
I his year. Thence he sailed northerly; and on the day of the 
festival of St. Lawrence, he found himself in about latitude 48'-' 
30 north, in the midst of a broad gulf, which he named St. Law- 
rence". Hi gave the same name to the river which empties into 
it. In tills voyage, he sailed as far north as latitude 51^, expect- 
hig in vain to find a passage to China. 

1535.] The next year he sailed up the river St. Lawrence 300 
leagues, to the great and swift fall. He called the country New 
]'''rance ; built a fort near the west end of the isle of Orleans, 
which he called Port dc &l. Croix, in which he spent the win- 
ter, and returned in the following spring to France, carrying 
with him some of the natives. 

1539.] On the 12th of May, 1539, Ferdinand de Soto, with 
900 men,, besides seamen, sailed from Cuba, liaving for liis object 
t'iie conquest of Florida. On the 30th of May he arrived at Spirito 
Santo, fi'om whence he traveled northward to the Cliickasav; coun- 
try, in about latitude 35® or 36®. He died, after having s]jent three 
years in this country, and was buried on the bank of Mississippi 
River, May, 1542, aged 42 years, Alverdo succeeded him. 

1540.] CcUtier made a third voyage to Canada, built a tort 
and begun a settlement in 1541 or 1542, which he called Charlc- 
hourg, four leagues above Port de St. Croix. He soon after 
bj-oke up the settlement and sailed to Newfoundland. 

1542.] In 1542, Francis la Roche, Lord Roborval, was sent 
tq> Canada, by the French king, with three ships and 200 men, 



FIRST SETTLING OF AMERICA. 71 

Yv^oYnen and children. They wintered there in a fort which they 
had biiih, and returned in the spring-. About the year 1560, a 
large number of adventurers sailed for Canada, but were never 
after heard of. In 1598, the king of France commissioned the 
Marquis De la Roche to conquer Canada, and other countries 
wot possessed by any Christian Prince. We do not learn, how- 
ever, that la 'Roche ever attempted to execute his commission, or 
that any further attempts were made to settle Canada during- this 
'•entury. 

During the succeeding 30 years, the passion for discovery took 
another direction. Adventurers from 'Europe were seeking a, 
passage to India and China by the N. E. but were prevented 
from accomplishing their views by the cold and ice of those in- 
hospitable regions. In this interval, the French of Brittany, 
the Spaniards of Biscay, and the Portuguese, enjoyed the fishery 
on the banks of Newfoundland, v/ithout inteiTuption. [Belknap.] 

January &^ 1548-49.] This year king Edward VI. granted 
a pension for life to -Sebastian Cabot, in consideration of tlio 
important services he had rendered to the kingdom by his dis- 
coveries in America. Yexj -respectable descendents of the Cabot 
lamily nov/live in the Ccnimon wealth of Massachusetts. 

1502.] The Admiral of France, Chatillon, early in this year, 
sent out a fleet under the command of John Ribalt. He arrived 
at Cape Francis on the Coast of Florida, near which, on the first 
of May, he discovered and eritered a river which he called May 
river, it is more^han probable that this river is the same whicli 
we now call St. Mary's which forms a part of the southern boun- 
dary of the United States, As he coasted northward he discov- 
f^red eigVit other rivers, one of which'Iie -called Port Royal, and 
wailed up it several leagues. On one of the Tivers he built a 
'fort and called it C/i(irlcs,iu. which he left a colony uTider the di- 
rection of Captain Albert. The severity of Albert's measurors 
excited a mutiny, in which, to the ruin of the colony, he w;>s 
.slain. Two years after, Chatillon sent Rene Laudonier v/ith 
three ships to Florida. In June he arrived at the river J^Jai/, on 
which he built a fort, and. in honor to his king, Charl€« JX. iic 
called it Carolina. 



72 AN AMERICAN FIBLD OF MARS. 

Li August, this year, Capt. Ribalt arrived at Horida the lec- 
ond time, with a fleet of seven vessels, to recruit the colony, 
which, two years before, he had left nnder the direction of the 
unibrtuuate Capt. Albert. 

The September following, Pedro Melandes, with six Spanish, 
ships, pursued Ribalt up the river on wiiich he had settled, and 
overpowering him in numbers, cruelly massacred him and his 
whole company. Melandes having in this way taken posses- 
sion of the country, built three forts, and left them garrisoned 
with 1200 soldiers. Laudonier and his colony on May River> 
receiving information of the fate of Ribalt, took the alarm and 
escaped to France. 

1567.J A fleet of three ships was this year sent from France 
lo Florida, under the command of Dominique de Gourges. The 
object of this expedition, was to dispossess the Spaniards of that 
part of Florida which they had cruelly and unjustly seized three 
years before. He arrived on t'le coast of Florida^ April, 15(38. 
and soon after made a successful attack upon the forts. The 
recent cruelty of Melandes and his company excited revenge in 
the breast of Gourges, and roused the unjustifiable principle of 
retaliation. He took the forts ; put most of the Spaniards to 
the sword ; and having burned and demolished all their fortress- 
es, returned to France. During the 50 years next after this 
event, the French euterprized no settlements in America. 

157(3.] All attempts to find a N. E. passage to India being 
frustrated, Capt. Frobisher was sent this year to find a N. "\\ . 
passage to that country. The first land which he made on the 
coast was a caj^e, which, in honor to tlie Queen he called Queeft 
Elizabcfh\s Foreland. In coasting northerly he discovered \ 
the straits which bear his name, and which arc now impassabhj 
by reason of fixed ice. He prosecuted his search for a passa^ 
into the western ocean till he was prevented by the ice, and then 
returned to En^rland. The two following years he made a sec- 
ond and a third voyage, but produced no material discovery. 

Sir Francis Drake, being on a cruise against the Spaniards in 
the South Sea, landed on the continent of America, northward 



FIRST SETTLING OF AMERICA. 73 

Ol Galifornia, took possession of a harbor, and called the cir- 
oinijacent country between lat. 38° and 42°, New Albion, which 
name it has ever since retained. 

1579.] In 1579, Sir Humphry Gilbert obtained a patent from 
Queen Ehzabeth, for lands not yet possessed by any Christian 
prince, provided he would take possession within six years. — 
With this encoura2;ement he sailed to Newfoundland, and on 
tlie first of August, 1583, anchored in Conception Bay. He 
took formal possession of the continent of North-America for 
the crown of England. In pursuing his discoveries he lost one. 
of Jiis ships on the shoals of Sable, and on his return? home, a 
storm overtook him, in which he was unfortunately lost, and 
die intended settlement was prevented. 

1584.] This year two patents were granted by Queen Eliz- 
abeth, one to Adrian Gilbert, (Feb. 6,) the other to^ Sir Walter 
Raleigh, (March 25.) for lands not possessed by any Christian 
prince. By the direction of Sir Walter, two ships were fittetl 
.and sent out under the command of Philip Amidas, and Arthur 
Barlow, with 107 passengers. In June 1585 they arrived on 
tlie coast, and anchored in a harbor seven leagues west; of the 
Roanoke. This colony returned to England with Sir Francis 
Drake, in June, 1586. On the 13th of July, they, in a formal 
manuer, took possession of the country, and in honor of their 
virgin queen Elizabeth, they called it Virginia. Till this tinv3 
tlie country was known by the general name of Plm'ida. Af- 
ter this Virginia became the common name for all Nsrth-iVmer- • 
ica. 

1586.] This year, Sir Walter Raleigh sent Sir Richard Gren- 
ville to America, with seven ships. He arrived at Wococon 
harbor in June. Having stationed a colony of more than an 
hundred people at Roanoke, under the direction of Capt. Ralph 
Lane, he coasted northeasterly as far as Chespeake Bay and re- 
turned to England. 

The colony under Capt. Lane, endured extreme hardships, 
and must have perished, had not Sir Francis Drake fortunately 
returned to Virginia, and carried them to England, after having 
10 



/4 AN AMF^RICAN Fir:Ln OF MARS. 

made several conquests for the queen in tlie "West Indies and 
other places. 

A fortnight after. Sir Ricliard Grenville arrived with new re- 
cruits ; and although he did not find the colony which he had 
before left, and Imew not but they had perished, he had the rash- 
ness to leave fifty men at the same place. 

1587.] The year following, Sir Walter sent another company 
to Virginia, under Governor White, witli a charter and twelve 
.-issistants. In July he arrived at Roanoke. Not one of the sec- 
ond company remained. lie determined, however, to risk a 
third colony. Accordingly he left 115 people at the old settle- 
ment, and returned to England. 

This year (Aug. 13.) Manteo v/as baptised in Virginia. He 
■was the first native Indian who received that ordinance in that 
])art of America. He, withTowa^-e, another Indian, had visit- 
ed England, and returned home to Virginia with the colony. 
On the 18th of August, Mrs. Dare was delivered of a daughter, 
vhom she called Virginia, She was born at Roanoke, and 
AH'as the first English child that was born in North- America 

1590.] In the year 1590, GoA'ernor White came over to Vir- 
ginia with supplies and recruits for his colony ; but, to his great 
grief, not a man was to be found. They had all miserably fam- 
islied with Irangcr, or were massacred by the Indians. 

1592.] Juan de Fuca, a Greek, in the service of Spain, was 
sent by the viceroy of Mexico, to discover a N. W. passage, by 
exploring the western side of the American coniinent. He dis- 
covered a strait which bears his name in the 4Sth deg'. N. lat. 
and supposed it to be thejlong desired passage. [Piirchas. — 
Jidknap. 

1598.] Ue la Ijoche obtained from Ilenr^' IV. of France, a 
commission to conquer Canada, and other countries not possess- 
ed by any christian ])rince. He sailed from France with a 
company of convicts from \\\q prisons ; landed 40 on the isle qt 
^'able. Seven years after, the survivors, being 12 in number, 
were taken off and carried home to France : Henry pardoned 
tlicm, and gave them 50 crowns each, as a recompense for their 
sulferings. [Purchas. — Forslcr.j 



FIRST SETTLING OF AMERICA. /5 

1602.] In the spring of this year, Barthohnew Gosnold, witii 
32 persons, made a voyage to North Virginia, and discovered 
and gave names to Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Elizabeth 
Islands, and to Dover Clifi: Elizabeth Island was the place 
vv'liich tlicy fixed for their first settlement. But the courage ol 
tiiose wlio were to have tarried, failing, they all went on board 
and returned to England. All the attempts to settle this con- 
tinent which were made by the Dutch, French, and English, 
irom its discovery to the present time, a period of 110 years, 
])roved ineflectual. The Spaniards only, of all the European 
nations, had been successful. There is no account of there hav- 
ing been one European family, at this time, in all the vast extent 
of coast from Florida to Greenland. 

1603.] Martin Pring and William Brown, were this year sent 
])y Sir Walter Raleigh, withtv/o small vessels, to make discove- 
ries in North Virginia. Tiiey came upon the coast, which wfis 
l)roken with a multitude of islands, in latitude 43^^ 30, north. 
They coasted southward to Cape Cod Bay ; thence round tlie 
Cape into a commodious harbor in lat. 41° 2.5, where they went 
ashore and tarried teven v/eeks, dm-ing which time they loaded 
one of their vessels with sassafras, and returned to England. 

Bartholomew Gilbert, in a voyage to South Virginia, in 
M'arch of the third colony v/hich had been left there by Govern- 
or White, in 1587, having touched at several of the West India 
Islands, landed near Chesapeake Bay, where, in a skirmish with 
t.lie Indians, he and four of his men were uniortunatcly slain. — 
The rest, without any further search for the colony, returned to 
l^lngland. 

France, being at this time in a state of tranquility, in conse- 
quence of tlie edict of Nantz in favor of the Protestants, passcfl 
by Henry IV. (April lt598) and of the peace with Philip, king of 
Spain and Portugal, was induced to ]iursue her discoveries in 
America. Accordingly the king signed a patent in favor of De 
JMons or Monts, (November 8, 1603) of all the country from tlie 
40th to the 46th degree of Jiorth latitude, under the name cf 
Acadia. 



T6 ▲¥ AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

1604.] The next year De Moiis ranged the coast from St 
Lawrence to Cape Sable, and round to Cape Cod, and begaa 
plantations at Port Royal, St. John's, and St. Croix in the bay 
of Funda. 

1605.] In May 1605, George's Island and Pentecost Harbor 
were discovered by Capt. George Weymouth. In May he en- 
tered a large river in latitude 43^ 20, (variation 11^* 15 west,) 
supposed to be Kennebeck or Penobscot. Capt. Weymouth 
carried with him to England five of the natives, whom he de- 
livered to Sir Ferdinando Georges, then Governor of Plymouth. 

1606.] April 10th, this ycfir, James I. by patent, divided Vir- 
ginia into two colonies. The southern included all lands be- 
tween the 34th and 41st degrees of north latitude. This was 
styled the first colony, under the name ot South Virginia, and was 
gi-anted to the London Company. The nortliern, called the 
;second colony, and known by the general name of North Virgin- 
ia, included all lands between the 38th and 45th degrees north 
latitude, and was granted to the Plymouth Company. Each of 
these colonies had a council of thirteen men to govern them. — 

To prevent disputes about territory, the colony which should 
last place themselves was prohibited to plant within an hundred 
miles of the other. There appears to be an inconsistency in 
tliese grants, as the lands lying between the 3Sth and 41st de- 
grees are covered by both patents. 

Iioth the London and Plymouth companies enterprized settle- 
ments within the limits of their respective grants. With what 
success will now be mentioned. 

Mr. Piercy, brother to the Earl of Nortlnunbcrland. in the ser- 
vice of the London Company, went ov^er with a colony to Vir- 
ginia, and discovered Powhatan, now James River. In the mean 
time the Plymouth company sent Capt. Henry Challone, in ft 
vessel of fifty five tons, to plant & colony in North Virginia ; but 
in his voyage he was taken by a Spanish fleet and carried to Sj)ain- 

1607. ] Champlain, by order of De Mons, sailed up the river 
Canada (now St. Lawrence) and fortified Quebec, the name of 
a strait in the river. 



FIRST SETTLING OF IMERICJu 77 

'The London Company, in the spring of this year, sent Capt. 
'Christopher Newport, with three vessels, to South Virginia. — 
'On the 26th of April he entered Chesapeake Bay, and landed, 
and soon after gave to the most southern point the name of Cap«^ 
Henri/, which it still retains. May 13th, having elected Mr. 
Edward Wingfield president for the year, they next day landed 
^11 their men, and began a settlement on James river, at a plac« 
which they called Jamestown. This is the first town settled 
by the English in North America. The June following, Capt. 
Newport sailed for England, leaving with the president one hun- 
dred and four persons. 

On the 22d day of August died Capt Bartholomew Gosnold, tlw 
first projector of this settlement, and one of the council. The 
following winter Jamestown was burnt. 

During this time, the Plymouth company fitted out two ships 
under the command of Admiral Rawley Gilbert. They sailetl 
for North Virginia on the 31st of May, with one himdred planters 
and Capt. George Popham for their president. They arrived 
in August and settled about nine or ten leagues to the south- 
ward of the mouth of Sagadahok river. A great part of the 
colony, hov\^ever, disheartened by the severity of the winter, 
returned to England in December, leaving their president, Capt. 
Popham, with only forty-five men. 

It was in the fall of this year that the famous Mr. Robinson 
with part of his congregation, who afterwards settled at Ply- 
mouth in New England, removed from the north of England to 
Holland, to avoid the cruelties of persecution, and for the sak» 
of enjoying '-'purity of worship and liberty of conscience." 

This year a small company of merchants at Dieppe and St. 
Blalo's, founded Q,uebec, or rather the colony which they sent, 
built a few huts there, which did not talie the form of a town 
until the reign of Lewis XIV, 

1G08.] Sagadahok colony suffered incredible hardships after 
Oie departure of their friends in December. In the depth of 
winter, which was extremely cold, their storehouse caught fii» 
<jfld was consumed, with most of their provisions and lodging. 



\ 



f^ AN AMERICA FIF.LP ©P MARS, 

Tlicir misfortunes were increased, soon after, by the death of 
their presidc^nt. Rawley Gilbert was appointed to succeed him. 

TiOrd Chief Justice Popliaiii niado every exertion to keep this 
ctDlony ahre, by repeatedly sendinif them supplies. IJut tliG 
circumstance of his death, which happened this year, together 
with that of president Gilbert's beinii: called to Kiisrland to settU:; 
his affairs, broke up the colony, and they all returned with him 
to Enirland. 

The unfavorable reports which these first unfortunate adven- 
turers propagated rcspeetinc^ the country, prevented any furtiicr 
attempts to settle North Virginia ior several years after. 

LfJOO.] The liondon company, last year, sent Capt. Nelson, 
with t\vo ships and one hundred and twenty persons, to James- 
town ; and this year, Capt. John Smith, afterwards president, 
arrived on the coast of South Virginia, and by sailing uf) a 
number of the rivers, discovered the interior of the country. — 
In September Capt. Newport arrived with seventy persons, which 
increased the colony to two hundred souls. 

Mr. Kobinson and his congregation, who had .settled at Am- 
sterdam, removed this year to I,eyden ; where they remained 
more than eleven years, till a part of them came over to New 
England. " 

The coimcil for South Virginia, having resigned their old 
conimission, requested and obtained a new one ; in consequence 
of which, they appointed Sir Thomas West, Lord De la War, 
general of the colony; Sir Thomas Gates, his lieutenant; Sir 
George Somers, Admiral ; Sir Thomas Dale, high marshal ; 
Sir Ferdinand Waiimian, general of the horse ; and Capt. New- 
pfirt, vice admiral. 

June 8.] Tn June Sir Thomas Gates, Admiral Newport, and 
Sir George Somers, with seven ships, a ketch and a pinnace, 
Laving five hundred souls on board, men, women and" children, 
sailed from Talmouth for South Vinjinin. In crossing tlie 
Bahama Gulf, on the 24th of July, the tlect was overtaken by 
n Tiolent storrn, and separated. Four days after,- Sir Georg» 
Somers rmi his vessel asliore on one of the Bermuda Islands, 



FIRST SETTl.INCi OF A*M:RICA.. 79 

which, from this circumstance, have been citllcd the Somer 
Islands. The people on board, one hundred and fifty in num- 
ber, all got safe on shore ; and there remained until the loliowin^ 
May. The remainder of the fleet arrived at Virginia in Au- 
gust. The colony w;ls now increased to live- lumdrcd nien.- 
Capt. Smith, tlien president, a little before the- irrriuval of the 
fleet, had been very badly burnt by means of some powder wJiich 
had accidentally caught fire. This imfortiinate circnnislancc! 
together witli the opposition he met with from tho«e wiio had 
lately Jirrived, induced him to leave the colony and return to 
England; which he accordingly did the last of September, 
r'rancis West, his successor in office, soon followed, him, and 
George Piercy was elected president. 

161U.] The year following, the South Virginiai op; London 
company, sealed a patent to Lord De la War, constituting him 
(jiovcrnor and Captain General of South Virginia. He soon afier 
embarked for America, with Capt. Argal and od.c lumdrcd and 
fifty men, in three ships. 

The mifortunatc people, who, the year befoixj,. had' been ship- 
wrecked on the Bermuda Islands, had employed themselves 
during the winter and spring, under the direction of Sir Thorna.'^ 
Gates, Sir George Somcr!^, and Admiral Newport, in building a 
sloop to tmnsport themselves to the continent.. They embarked 
for Virginia on the 10th of May, with about one hundttsd and 
fifty ])ersonson board; leaving two of their- men behind, who 
chose to stay; and landed at Jamestown on the 23d of the same 
month. Finding the colony, wiaieh at the time of Capt. Smith's 
departure, consisted of five hundred souls, now reduced to sixty^ 
and those few in a distrcfjsed and wretched situation, they witli 
one voice resolved to return to England ; and for this purpose^on 
die 7th of June, the whole colony repaired on board their vessels 
broke up the settlement, and sailed down the river on their; way 
to tluiir native country. 

Fortunately, Lord De la War, who had embarked for Jamos- 
towii the March before, met them the day after they sailed, 
stiid persuaded them to return with him to Jamestown, wh^n* 



30 AM AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

tfiey aOTFyed and landed the 10th of June. The governnuent 
oC the 'cotony of right devolved upon Lord De la War, ¥^am 
this time wo may date the eifectiial settlement of Virginia. Its: 
history from this period will be given in its proper place. 

In 1611, 'Sir Thomas Dale reinforced the colony of SoQth; 
Virginia with 300 people, and Sir Thomas Gates with 300 naore, 
furnishing them with cattle and swine. 

As early as the year 1607 and 1608, Henry Hudson, an Eng- 
lishman, under a commission from king James, in the employ o i 
the East India Company; made several voyages for the discov- 
ery of a north west passage to the East Indies. In 1609, upon 
some misunderstanding, he engaged in the Dutch service, in the 
prosecution of the same design, and upon his return ranged 
along the coast of what has since been called New England, 
(which three years before was granted by king James to his Eng- 
lish subjects, the Plymouth Company,) and entered Hudson's 
river, mvins: it his own luuno. lie ascended this river in his 
boat as far as what has since been called Aurania or Albany. 
In 1613, the Dutch West India Company, sent some persons to 
tliis river, to trade with the Indians ; and as early a 1623, tlie 
Dutch had a trading house on Connecticut river. In conse- 
quence of these discoveries and settlements, the Dutch claimed 
all the country extending from Cape Cod to Cape Henlopen 
along the sea coast, and as for back into the country as any of 
the rivers within those limits extend. But their claim has been, 
disputed. This extensive country the Dutch called New Neth- 
aiands, and in 1614, the States General granted a patent to 
sinidry merchants for an exclusive trade on Hudson's river, who, 
tlie same year, built a fort on the west side near Albany. From 
this time we may date the settlement of New-York. 

Conception Bay, on the Island of Newfoundland, was settled 
in the year 1610, by about forty planters, under governor Johfi 
Guy, to whom king James had given a patent of incorporation. 
Champlain, a Frenchman, had bcgim a settlement at (iuebce 
1608, StCroix, Mount Mansel, and Port Royal were settled 
.qi)OUt the same time. These settlements remained undisturbfod 



FIRST SETTLING OF AMERICA,"' 81 

till 1613. when the Virginians, hearing that the French had set- 
tied within their limits, sent Captain Argal to dislodge them. 
For this pra-pose he sailed to Sagadahok, took their forts at 
Mount Mansel, St. Croix, and Port Royal, with their vessels, 
ordnance, cattle and provisions, and carried them to Jamestown 
in Virginia. Quebec was left in possession of the French. 

1614.] This year Capt. John Smith, with two ships and forty 
.five men and boys, made a voyage to North Virginia, to make 
experiments upon a gold and copper mine. His orders were, to 
fish and trade with the natives, if he should fail in his expecta- 
tions with regard to the mine. To facilitate this business, he 
look with him Tantnrn^ an Indian, perhaps one that Capt. Wey- 
mouth carried to England in 1 605. In April he reached the 
island Monahigan in latitude 43*^ 30. Here Capt. Smith was 
directed to stay and keep possession with ten men, for the pur- 
pose of making a trial of the whaling business, but being dis- 
appointed in this, he built seven boats, in which thirty-seven 
men made a very successful fisliing voyage. In the mean time 
the Captain himself, with eight men only, in a small boat, coast- 
ed from Penobscot to Sagadahok, Acocisco, Passataquack, 
Trajrabizanda, now called Cape Ann. thence to Acomac, where 
he skirmished with some Indians ; thence to Cape Cod, where 
he set his Indian Tantum, asliore, and left him, and returned to 
Monahigan. In this voyage he found tv\^o French ships in the 
Bay of Massachusetts, who had come there six weeks before, and 
during that time, had i3een trading very advantageously with the 
Indians. It was conjectured that there were, at this time, three 
thousand Indians upon the Massachusetts Islands. 

In July, Capt. Smith embarked for England in one of tlie 
vessels, leaving the other under the command of Capt. Thomas 
Hunt, to equip for a voyage tii Spain. After Capt. Smith's de- 
parture. Hunt perfidiously allured twenty Indians (one of whom 
was Squan^o, afterwards so serviceable to the English) to come 
on board his ship at Patuxit, and sev.n more at Nausit, and car- 
ried them to the island of Malaga, where he sold them for twenty 
pounds each, to be slaves for life. This conduct, which fixes an 
11 



S? AN AMERICAW flL'LD OV MATT«. 

indelible etisfmn upon the character of Hunt, excited in tlie^ 
breast of the Indians such an inveterate hatred of the Enijlish, 
that, for many years after, all commercial intercourse with thenj 
was rendered exceedingly dangerous. 

Capt. Smith arrived at London the last of August, where he 
drew a map of the country, and called it New-Englanp. 
From this time North Virginia assumed the name of Ncw-Enp[ 
land, and the name Virginia was confined to the soutliern 
colony. 

Between the years 1G14 and 1G20, several attempts were made 
by the Plymouth company to settle New England, but from sev- 
eral causes they were all rendered ineffectual. During this 
time, however, an advantageous trade was carried on with tlie 
natives. 

1615.] Robert Bylot and William Baffin sailed from England 
in search of a north-west passage. The following year they 
made another voyage, and discovered the great northern bay 
which bears Baffbi's name. 

About this time war, famine, and pestilence raged among th<* 
natives of New-England, and sv/ept ofl' great numbers of them 
When Thomas Dermcr mrivcd in Now England in 1610, he 
found many places, before populous, almost desolate, and tiie 
few remaining inhabitants, cither sick or but scarcely recovered. 
1617.] Ilu the year 1617, Mr. Robinson and his congregation, 
infl.ienced by several weighty reasons, meditated a removal to 
America. Various difficulties intervened to prevent the success 
of their designs until the year 1620, when a jiart of Mr. Robin- 
s«»n's congregation came over and settled at Plymouth. At this 
time commenced the settlement of New-England. 

The particulars relating to the first immigrations to this north- 
ern part of America ; the progress of its settlements, (fcc. will be 
given in the history of New-England, to which the reader is 
referred. 

16^>1.] Li order to preserve the chronological order in which 
the sfcvcTal colonies, now grown into independent states, were 
first, »(ml(.>d, it wjiU be necessary that 1 should mention, that the 



FIRST SETTLING OF AMERICA. 



^ 



next year after the settlement of Plymouth, Capt. John Mason 
obtained of the Plymouth council a srant of a part of the pres- 
ent state of New-Hampshire. Two years after, under the 
authority of this grant, a small colony fixed down near the mouth 
of Piscataqua river. From this period wc may date the settle- 
ment of New-Hampshire. 

1627.] In 1627. a colony of Swedes and Finns came over and 
landed at Cape Henlopen ; and afterwards purchased of the 
fndians the land from Cn; e Henlopen to the Falls of Delaware, 
on both sides the river, which they called Nein Swedeland 
Stream. On this river th"y built' seTcral forts, and made 
settlements. /• i •. 

1628.] On the 19tli of March, 1628, the council for New-Enor- 
land sold to Sir Henry Roswcll, and five others, a larg-e tract of 
land, lyinsr round Ma.-^sachusetts Bay. The June following. 
Capt. John Endicot, w.th his wife and company, came over and 
settled at Naumkeag-, now called Salem. This was the first 
English settlement which was made in Massachusetts Bat. 
Plymouth, indeed, which is now included in the Commonwealth 
of Massachusetts, was settled eight years before, but at this time 
it was a separate colony, under a distinct government : and con- 
tiiuiedso, until the second charter of Massachusetts was granted 
by William and Mary in 1601 : by which Plymouth, the Pro- 
vince of Maine and Sagadahok, wers annexed to Massachusetts. 
June 13, 1633.] In the reign of Charles the first, Lord Balti- 
more, a Roman Catholic, applied for, aud obtained a grant of a 
tract of land upon Chesapeake Bay, about one hundred and forty 
miles long and one hundred and thirty broad. Soon after this, 
in consequence of the rigor of the laws of England against the 
Roman Catholics, Lord Baltimore, vriih a number of his perse- 
cuted brethren, came over and settled it, and in honor of Queen 
Henrietta Maria, they called it Maryland. 

1631.] The first grant of Connecticut was made by Robert, 
Earl of Warwick, president of the council of Plymouth, to 
Lord Say and Seal, to Lord Brook and others, in the year 1631. 
la consequence of several smaller grants made afterwards by 



S4 AN -OIERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

ihe patoutces to particular persons, Mr. Fenwick madeasetllo- 
niciit at the mouth of Connecticut river, and called it Saybrook. 
\l>out the saniclinio (KVJf)) a nnmhor of poo]>U! from Massachu- 
setts Hay came ami began seltU'ineuts ;U ilarlfoid, VVetherslield 
and Windsor, on Connecticut river. Thus commenced the 
{•iij^lish scltlcincnl of Connkcticht. 

Rhode-Island was lirst settled in consequence of religions 
persecution. Mr. llo;j;er Williams, who was among those who 
came early over to Ahissachusetts, not ajrreeiufr with .some of his 
brethren in sentiment, was very unjustiliably banisheil the colo- 
uy, and went with twelve others, his adherents, uud settled at 
Trovidertee, 1635. From this beginning arose the colony, now 
state ot RiionK-lsi.ANi). 

lOOl.J On the 20th of March, 1001, Charles the second 
granted to the Duke of York, what is now called Nkw-Jer.sev, 
tluui a part oi' a large tract of country by the name of New- 
Nelherland. Some j)m'ts of New-.lersey were settled by the 
Dutch as early as about 1015. 

1002.] In the yt^ar 101)2, C'harles the second, granted to Fjd- 
ward, Earl of Clarendon, and seven others, almost the whole 
territory of the three Southern States, North and South Carolina 
and Georgia. Two years alter he granted a second charter, 
euliu-ging their boundaries. TJie proprietors, by virtue of 
authority vested in them by their charter, i>ngagc>ti iMr. Locke to 
Irame a system of laws for the govermnent of their intended 
colony. Nofwitlistandiug these preparations, no ell'ectual settle- 
ment was made uiuil the year lOO'J, (though one was attempted 
in 1G07,) when Governor Sayle came over with a colony mid 
iixed on a neck of land between Ashly and Cooj cr Rivers. 
Thus cojnnienced the settlement of Carolina, which then in- 
cluded the whole territory between the 29*- and 30"-^ 30 north 
latitude, together witli the Balnuna Islands, lying between lati- 
tude 22"-' and 27"^ north. 

1081. J The Ri)yal charter for Pennsylvania was granted to 
William Penn on the 4th of March, 1081. The first colony 
came over the next year mid settled under tlie proprieter, Will- 



PtRST SETI'LTNO of AMERICA. S$ 

mm Ponn, who ncted us (uiveruor, from October, 1(>82, to Au- 
gust, IGSl. The first Assembly in the; provinco of Pennsylvania 
was hold at Chester, on the 4th of December, 1082. Thus Will- 
iam Ponn, a Uuakor, justly celebrated as a great and good man, 
luid the honor of laying- the foundation of the i)r(\senl |)opidous 
and very llourisliiiiL!,->Sl;ite of Pi'.nnsvi.v am a. 

The proprietary i^-overmnont i!i Ciirolinn, w^-is attended with 
so many iiiconvenieneies, iiud occasioned such violent dissen- 
tions among the settlers, that the Parliament of ('.real IJritiiin 
was induced to take the ])rovince under their imm<Hli;ite can;. 
'The proprietors, (except liord Granville,) aeceptrd of S^'i2,M\{i 
sterling, from the crown, for the property and Jurisdiction. 'Phis 
agreornent was ratified by act of I'ju'liament in 1729. A clause 
in this act reserved to Lord Granville his eighth share of the 
property and arn^ars of (piilreuts, which contimied legally vest- 
ed in his family till th<' revolution in 177T). Lord (Jranville's 
slian^, madea |)art of the present slati- of [North Carolina. About 
the year 172'.), the extensive territory lu'longingto the ]»rojtfie 
tors, was divided into North and .South Carolitui,. 'They remaiii- 
<d separate royal governments until tltey became hidcpendent 
States. 

V'or the relief of poor indignant people of Great IJritian audi 
In^land, and for the security of (Carolina, a project was formed 
for planting a colony betwei^u the river Savannah and Altamjilia, 
Accordingly, application being made to King ("Jeorgt! the seeondl 
lie issued letters i)atent, bearing date June 9lh, 17;)2, for legally 
carrying into execution the benevolent plan. In honor of the 
King who greatly encom-aged the plan, tliey called the new 
provinco Cxi:oiuirA. Twenty-one trustees were appointed to 
conduct the aflairs relating to the settlement of tlie province. 
The November following, one hundred and filleen ])(>rsons, one 
of whom was (General OgletliorpiM^nibarked (or Georgia, where 
they arrived, and laiided at Vamaeravv. Th exploring the coun- 
try, they found an elevated pleasant si)ot of ground on the bank 
of a navigal)le river, upon which they niarki'd out a tOwn, and 
from the Indiaa name of the river which passed by it, called it 



8ll AN AMERICAN KIKLD OF MARS. 

SRvaunali. From this j)eriod we may date the settlement 9i 

C»KOR<;lA. 

Tlio country now called Kentucky, was well known to the 
Indian traders, niiuiy years hefore its settlement. They gave a 
description o( it to Lewis Evuns, who )niblisiied liis first map ot 
it iis early as iho year 1752. James j\lacbride, with some others, 
explored this country in 1754. Col. Daniel Boon visited u 
in 1700. ,, i,j„; 

1773.] I'our years alter, Coh Boon and his I'amily, with five 
otlier families, who were joined by i'orty men Irom Powcl's val- 
ley, began the settlement of Kentucky, which is now one ol 
the most growim^ colonies, j)erhap8, in the world ; and was erect- 
ed into an iiule|Knident state, by act of l^ongrcss, December Gth, 
1790, and received into the Union, June 1st. 1792. 

The tract of country called Ykumont, bel'ore the late war, 
Wivs claimed both by New York and New-Hampshire. When 
hostilities commenced between Great Britian and her Colonies, 
the inhabitants considering themselves iis in a state of nature, as 
to civil government, and not within any legal jurisdiction, asso- 
ciated and formed for themselves a constitution of government. 
Under this consttution, they have ever since continued to exer- 
cise all the j)owers of an independent State. Vermont was not 
admitted into union with the other states till March 4th, 1791 ; 
yet we may venture to date her political existence as a separate 
government, from the ye:u" 1777, because since that time, Ver- 
mont h;is, to all intents and purposes, been a sovereign and in- 
dependent State. The fust settlement in this state was made at 
Bennington as early as about 17G1, 

The extensive tract of country lying north-west of the Ohio 
River, wiihin the limits of the United States, was erected into a 
separate tcmporari/ government, by an Ordinance of Congress 
])asssed tlie Kkh of July, 17S7. 

1789.J The Tcnncsi^cc ^ovcnifncni, or the territory of the 
United States south of Ohio, has been a .separate district since 
iJie year 1789. 

Tims we have given a summary view of the first discovcrit^ 



VIRST SETTLING OF AMERICA. 87* 

;incl progressive settlement of North-America in thcir clironolo- 
vical order. 

The following recapitulation will comprehend the whok> in 
one view. 

Uucbcc, was settled in 1008 by the French. 
Virginia, 1010 or 1011 by Lord De la War. 
Newfomidland, June, IGIO by Gov. John Guy. 
New- York and New- Jersey, about 1014 by the Dutch. 
Plymouth, 1020 by part of Mr. Robinson's congregation. 
New-Hampshiro, 1023 by a small English colony near the mouth 

of Piscacaqua river. 
Delaware and Permsylvania, 1027, by the Swedes and Finns. 
Massachusetts Bay, 1028 by Capt. John Endicot and Company. 
Maryland, 1033 by Lord Baltimore, with a colony of Roman 

Catholics. 
Connecticut, 1035 by Mr. Fcnwick, at Saybrook, near the mouth 

of Connecticut river. 
Rhode-Island, 1035 by Mr. Roger Williams and his persecuted 

brethren. 
New- Jersey, 1004, Granted to the Duke of York by Charles IL 

and made a distinct government, and settled souic time 

before this by the English. 
iSouth-Carolinia. 1000, by Governor Sayle. 
Pennsylvania, 1082, by William Penn, with a colony ol'Q,uakers_ 
North-Carolina, about 1728, erected into a separate government 

settled before by the FiUglish. 
(^teorgia, 1732, by General Oglethorpe. 
Kentucky, 1773, by Col. Daniel Boon. 
Vermont, about 1704, by emigrants from Connecticut and other. 

parts of New-England. 
Territory N. W. of Ohio River, 1787, by the Ohio and other 

companies. 
Tennessee Government, 1789. became a distinct government, 

settled many years before. 
The above dates are mostly from the periods, wheji the first 
permanent settlements were made. 



SS AN AMElllCAN FIELD OF MARS. 

^'S ...'.'••■■ 

The IndicUis, naturally iealpiis, and seeing European settle* 
meiiis daily encroacliiog on their ancient rights, felt then an 
hijustice, that a period of two hundred years has fully evinced 
to every candid reader was correct. They then determined on 
tlieii bloody mode of warfare, and witli a^l the gavage fury thai 
has characterized the Indian name since that important period, 
spread devastation, nnirder, death, and all the vindictive feeling 
of inventive deuions to the right and left — a total exlerniinatiou 
of Europeans their whole desigj;^. The English, to protect theipj 
settlements, were obliged to resort to arms, tind bloody scenes 
soon followed. Tlio wilds of America, filled with a vabt popu- 
lation of the children of. the forest, b9can>e a general slaughter 
liouso for both parties. Tlic mtriguing arts of the whites press- 
ing on their real", extermination seemed too niucli the order ol 
tfie day. Claiming the country by right of discovery, the 
crowned heads of Europ,e set up geogra^jlucal discriminations 
which soon aroused diilercnt pretentions to the same tract — Eng- 
land and France being the, principal actors. Each of these 
nations invited the Indians to enlist in their cai^se.; and soon 
Itrought into coalition their infant colonies. Then mas§acn>^ 
and all the fangs of Indian cruelties stalked the wilds of Ameri- 
ca by night and by day. Ignorance being easily flattqried, the 
])()or Indian was a m.crc dupe to each party, as fortune sliiftcd 
sides. Having the Indians to contend; with, besides subduing a 
Icrest inhabited by wild beasts, and the wants of life to provide 
for,.three thousand miles from any immediate help,. was enougli 
to fill tlie stoutest hearts with forbodings of the issue, without 
tVio interi)osition of Jehovah in their favor. Under all these 
glooiny circumstances our ancestors had to contend. And w'itl^ 
patience under sufll rings, diligence a!id energy in performing, 
and the protec]Pipn of an all-wise providence, tlie forest fell 
before them, the Indians retreated slowly, bountiful nature' 
yielded them lier productions^ and the blessings of Heaven pro- 
tected them through the bloody and heart-rending scenes, in 
wliich thousands were slaughtered by tlie horrid tomaliawk,. 
bayonet, sword, rifle, and musket.. The Indians on tlie first; 



FIRST SETTLING OP AMERICA. ml 

arrival of Europeans were taught the' use of fire-arms ; and 
were furnished with ammunition, sometimes by the English, 
and sometimes by the French, as occasion required. The early 
apprehension, of hostilities on the part of the savages convinced 
the English that there was no safety but in constant readiness 
to meet their artifices in a summary way. .„,y 

The English, commanded by Capt. Benjamin Church, during 
this war displayed great bravery, and convinced the poor In- 
dians that peace with their white neiglibors was better than, 
war. 

Aitcr Phili})'s death one of hi.-, chief captains, named Anna- 
won, with a party of about sixty Indians, sought shelter in 
secluded retreats, and evaded Capt. Church for a time ; till 
Church, by a bold and daring adventure, caught the old fox in 
his cage — which stratagem was so well executed that it deserves 
a place in tliis work. 1 accordingly extract the iollowing ac- 
count from the History of Pliilip's War : 

Their next motion was towards the place Vi^here the prisoners 
told them that they had left their women and children, and sur- 
prised them all ; and some others that liad newly come to them. 
And upon exauiinution they held to one story, tliat it was hard 
to tell where to find Annawon, for he never roosted twice in a 
place. 

Now a certain Indian soldier, that Capt. Church had gained 
over to b J en his side, prayed that he might have liberty to go 
and fetch in his father, who, he said, was about four miles from 
that place, in a swamp, with no other than a young squaw. 
Capt. Church inclined to go with him, thinking that it might 
be in his way to gain some intelligence of Annawon; and so 
taking one Englishman and a few Indians with him, leavinir 
the rest there, he went with his new soldier to look after his 
father. 

When he came to the swamp, he bid the Indian go and see- 

if he could find his father. He was no sooner gone, but Capt. 

Church discovered a track coming down out of the woods ; upon 

which he and his little company lay close, sonic on one side oC 

12 



^ AN AMERICAK FIELD OF MARS. 

the track, and some on the other. They heard the Indian soldier 
making a howhng for his father, and at length somebody an- 
swered him ; but while they were listening, they thought that 
they heard somebody coming towards them ; presently they 
saw an old man coming up with a gun on his shoulder, and a 
young woman following the track which they lay by. They 
let them come up between them, and then started up and laid 
hold of them both. Capt. Church immediately examined them 
apart, telling them what they must trust to, if they told false 
stories. He asked the young woman what company they came 
from last ? She said, " From Capt. Annawon's." He asked how 
many were in company with him when she left him? Sho 
said, " Fifty or sixty." He asked how many miles it was to the 
place where she left him ? She said that she did not under- 
stand miles, but he was up in Squannaconk swamp. 

The old man, who had been one of Philip's council, upon 
examination, gave exactly the same account. Capt. Church 
asked him if they could get there that night? He said, that if they 
went presently, and traveled stoutly, they might get there by 
sunset. He asked wliither he was going ? He answered, that 
Annawon had sent him down to look for some Indians, that 
liad gone down into Mount hope neck to kill provisions. 
Oapt. Church let him know that those Indians were all his 
prisoners. 

By this time came the Indian soldier and brought his father 
Mid one Indian more. The Captain was now in a great strait 
of mind what to do next ; he had a mind to give Annawon a 
visit, now he knew where to find him. But his company was 
very small, only half a dozen men beside himself, and was under 
a necessity to send some body back to acquaint his Lieutenant 
and his company with his proceedings. However, he asked his 
small company that were with him, whether they would will- 
ingly go with him and give Annawon a visit? They told him, 
that they were always ready to obey his commands, (fcc; but 
withal told him, that they knew this Capt. Annawon was a 
great soldier ; and that he had been a valiant Captain under 



FIRST SETTLING OF AMERICA. 91 

Asuhmequin, Philip's father ; and that he had been Philip's 
chieftain all this war. A very subtle man, of great resolution, 
and had often said, that he would never be taken alive by the 
English. And moreover they knew that the men that were 
with him were resolute fellows, some of Philip's chief soldiers ; 
and, therefore, feared whether it was practicable to make an 
attempt upon him with so small a handful of assailants as wer« 
now with him. Told him further, that it would be a pity, after 
all the great things he had done, that he should throw away his 
life at last. Upon which he replied, that he doubted not Anna- 
won was a subtle and a valiant man ; that he had a long time, 
but in vam, sought for him, and never till now could find his 
quarters, and he was very loath to miss of the opportunity ; and 
doubted not, that if they would cheerfully go with him, th© 
same almighty Providence that had hitherto protected and bo- 
friended them, would do so still, <fcc. 

Upon this with one consent they said that they would go. 
Capt. Church then turned to one Cook of Plymouth, (the only 
Englishman then with him) and asked him, what he thought ot 
it? He replied, "Sir, I am never afraid ot going any where 
when you are with me." Then Capt. Church asked the old 
Indian, if he could carry his horse with him ? (For he convey- 
ed a horse thus far with him.) He replied that it was impossi- 
ble for a horse to pass the swamps. Therefore, he sent away 
his new Indian soldier with his father, and the Captain's horse, 
to his Lieutenant, and orders for him to move to Taunton with 
tlie prisoners, to secure them there, and to come out in th« 
morning in the Kehoboth road, in which he might expect to 
meet him, if he were alive and had success. 

The Captain then asked the old fellow if he would pilot him 
to Annawon ? He answered, that he having given him his life, 
he was obliged to serve him. He bid him move on then, and 
tliey followed. The old man would out travel them so far 
sometimes, that they were almost out of sight ; and looking- 
over his shoulder, and seeing them behind, he would halt. 

Just m the sun was setting, the old man made a full stop and 



9^ AK jmiBUlCAW FIELD OP MARS. 

sat down; the company coming up, also sat down, being afF 
weary. Capt. Church asked, " "What news ?" He answeredy. 
tliat about that time in the evening, Annawon sent out his scouts 
to see if the coast was clear, and as soon as it bejran to sjovf 
dark, the scouts returned, and then, said he, " we may move 
again securely." Wiien it began to grow dark, the old man 
stood up again, and Capt. Church asked him if he would take a 
gun and fiijflit for him? lie bowed very low, and prayed him- , 
not to impose such a thing upon him, as to fight against Capt. 
Annawon, his old friend. But, says he, " I will go along with 
you, and be helpful to you, and will lay hands on any man that 
k'hall offer to hurt you." 

It being now i)retty dark, they moved close together ; anon 
they heard a noise. The Captain stayed the old man with his 
hand, and asked his own men what noise they thought it miofht 
be ') They concluded it to be the pounding of a mortar. The 
old man had given C'apt. Church a description of the place 
where Annawon now lay, and of the difficulty of getting at him. 
IJeing sensible that they were pretty near them, with two of 
las Indians he creeps to the edsfe of the rocks, from whence he 
rould see their camps. Fie saw three companies of Indians at a 
little distance from each other; being easy to be discovered by 
I he light of their fires. He also saw the great Annawon and his 
company, who had formed his camp or kenncHng place by fall- 
ing a tree under the side of the great cliffs of rocks, and' setting A 
row of birch bushes up against it ; where he himself, his son, 
and some of his cLiieis had taken up their lodgings, and made 
great fires without them, and had their pots and k.ttles boiling 
and their spits roasting. Their arms also he discovered, all set to- 
gether, in a place fitted for the purpose, standing up an end against 
a stick lodged in two crotches, and a mat placed over them, to 
keep them from the wet or dew. The old Annawon's feet and 
Ins son's head were so near the arms, as almost to touch them. '■' 
The rocks were so steep that it was impossible to get down^ 
nly as they lowered thenisolves by the boughs, and the bushe^ 
liut grow in the cracks of the rocks. Capt. Church craepiog 



FIRST SETTLING OP AMERICA. 93 

iback again to the old man, asked him, if there was no possibil- 
ity of getting at them some other way ? He answered, " No."' 
That he and all that belonged to Annawon, were ordered to 
come that way, and none would come any other way without 
difficulty, or danger of being shot. 

Capt. Church then ordered the old man and his daughter to 
go down foremost with their baskets at their backs, that when 
Annawon saw them with their baskets he would not mistrust 
the intrigue. Capt. Church and his handful ot soldiers crept 
down also, under the shadow of those two and their baskets. 
The Captain himself crept close behind the old man, with his 
hatchet in his hand, and stepped over the young man's head to 
the arms. The young Annawon discovering him, whipped his 
blanket over his head and shrunk up in a heap. The old Capt. 
Annawon started up on his breech, and cried out, " Howoh," 
which, according to tradition, signified "I am taken." And 
despairing of escape, threw himself back again, and lay silent 
.until Capt. Church had secured all the nrms, &c. And having 
secured that company, he sent his Indian soldiers to the other 
fires and companies, giving them instructions what to do and 
say. Accordingly they went into the midst of them. When 
they had discovered themselves to the enemy, they told them 
that their Capt. Annawon was taken, and that it would be best 
for them quietly and peaceably to surrender themselves, which 
would procure good quarter for them ; otherwise, if they should, 
pretend to resist or make their esca^e^ it would be in vain, and 
they could expect no other but that Capt. Church, with his great 
array, who had now entrapped them, would cut them to pieces. 
Told them, also, that if they would submit themselves, and de- 
liver up all their arms unto them, and keep every man in his 
place until it was day, they would assure them that their Capt. 
Church, who had been so kind to themselves when they surien- 
dered to him, should be as kind to them. Now they being old 
acquaintance, and many of them relati<ons, did much the readier 
|!;ive heed to what they said; so complied, and surrendered lip 
their arms unto themf both their gwuis mid hatchets, (fcc. aB4 
w&es fotikwith carried to Capt. Chtirclu 



Vi AN AMKRICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

ThiriG^s being thus far settled, Capt. Church asked AnnawoB 
" what he had for supper ? for (said he) I am come to sup with 
you." " Taubiit," said Annawon, with a big voice, and looking 
about upon his women, bid them hasten and get Capt. Church 
and his company some supper. He then turned to Capt. Church 
and asked him whether he would eat cow beef or horse beef? 
The Captain told him that cow beef would be most acceptable. 
It was soon got ready, and pulling his little bag of salt out of 
his pocket, which was all the provision lie had brought with 
him. This seasoned his cow beef. So that with it and tho 
dried green corn, which the old squaw was pounding in the 
mortar, while they were sliding down the rocks, he made a very 
hearty supper. And this pounding in the mortar proved verv 
lucky for Capt. Church's getting down the rocks : for when the 
old squaw pounded, they moved, and when she ceased, to turn 
the corn, they ceased creeping. The noise of the mortar pre- 
vented the enemy's hearing their creeping, and the corn being 
now dressed, supplied the want of bread, and gave a fine relish 
with the cow beef. 

Supper being over, Capt. Church sent two of his men to in- 
form the other companions, that he had killed Philip, and taken 
their friends in Mountliope neck, but had spared their lives, and 
that he had subdued now all the enemy, he supposed, except this 
company of Annawon ; and now if they would be orderly and 
keep their places until morning, they should have good quarter, 
and that In^ would carry them to Taunton, where they might 
«xpect to see their friends again, (fcc. 

The niessciigors returned, and informed that the Indians 
yielded to his proposals. 

Capt. Church thought it was now time for him to take a nap 
having had no sleep in two days and one night before. So ho 
told his men, tlial if they would let him sleep two hours, they 
should sleep all the rest of the night. He laid himself down and 
endeavored to sleep, but all disposition to sleep deptyied from 
him. 

After he had lain n little while, he looked up to see howhi» 
■watch managed, but found them all last asleep. Now Capt.. 



FIRST SETTLING OF AMERICA 95 

Cliurch had told Capt. Annawon's company, as he had ordered 
his Indians to tell the others; namely, that their lives should all 
be spared, excepting Capt. Annawon's, and it was not in his- 
power to promise him his life, but he must carry him to his mas- 
ters at Plymouth, and he would entreat them for his life. 

Now when Capt. Church found not only his own men, but all 
the Indians fast asleep, Annawon only excepted, who, he per- 
ceived was as broad awake as himself; and so they lay lookim;:- 
one upon the other, perhaps an hour. Capt. Church said no- 
thing to him, for he could not speak Indian, and thought Anna- 
won could not speak English. 

At length Annawon raised himself up, and cast off his blan- 
ket, and with no more clothes than his small breeches, walked a 
little way back from the company. Capt. Church thought no 
other but that he had occasion to ease himself, and so walked to 
some distance rather than offend them with the stink. But by 
and by he was gone out of sight and hearing, and then Capt. 
Church began to suspect some ill design in him ; and got all the 
guns close to him, and crowded himself close under young An- 
nawon : that if he should anywhere get a gun, he should not 
make a shot at him without endangering his son. Lying very 
still awhile, waiting for the event, at length, he heard somebody 
coming the same way that Annawon went. The moon shining 
bright, he saw him at a distance coming with something in hi* 
hands, and coming- up to Capt. Church, he fell upon his knees 
before him, and of!ered him what he had brought, and speaking 
in plain English, said, "Great Captain, you have killed Philip, 
and conquered his country ; for I believe that I and my compa- 
ny are the last that war against the English, so suppose the war 
is ended by your means ; and therefore these things belong to 
you." Then opening his pack, he pulled out Philip's belt, curi- 
ously wrought with wompom, being nine inches broad, wrought 
with black and white wompom, in various figures, and flowers 
and pictures of many birds and beasts. This, when hanged 
upon Capt Church's shoulders, reached his ancles ; and anoth- 
<»r belt of wompom he presented hira with, wrought after tb* 



^6 



AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 



fonnenr manner, which Philip was wont to put upon his head. 
It had two flails on the back part, which hunirdownon his back, 
•and another small belt with a star npon ihc end of it, which he 
'iised to hancf on his breast, and they were all edged with red hair 
which Annawon said they got in the Mohawk's country. Then 
he pulled out two horns of glazed powder, and a red cloth blan- 
ket. He told Capt. Church that these were Philip's royalties 
which he was wont to adorn himself with, when he sat in state , 
that he thought himself happy that he had an opportunity to 
present them to Capt. Church, who had won them them, <fcc. 
They spent the remainder of the night in discourse. And Capt. 
Annawon gave an account of what mighty success he had had 
formerly in wars against many nations of Indians, when ho 
served Asuhmerjuin, Philip's lather, 6cc. 

In the morning, as soon as it was light, the Captain marched 
with his pri.souers out of that swampy country towards Taun- 
ton. He mot his Lieutenant and company about four miles out 
of town, who exprasscd a great deal of joy to see him again, and 
.•said that it was more than over they expected. They went uito 
Taunton, were civilly and kindly treated by the inhabiUuUs. 
Here they reiicshed and rested themselves that night. 

Early next morning, the Captain took old Annawon, and a 
half dozen of his Indian soldiers, and his own man, and went 
to Rhode-Island-, sending the rest of his company, and his pris- 
-ors by his liieu tenant, to Plymouth. Tarrying two or three days 
upon the Island, he went to Plymouth, and carried his wife and 
his two children with him. 

Capt. Church had been but a little while at Plymouth, when 
he was informed of a pared of Indians who had haunted the 
the woods between Plymouth andSippican ; that did great dam- 
age to the English, in killing their cattle, horses, and swine. 
The Captain was soon in pursuit of them. He went out from 
Plymouth the next Monday in the alternoon, and next inorn}ng 
<'ariy they discovered a track. The Captain sent two Indians on 
ilie track to see what they could discover, whilst lie and his com- 
-pany fol'cwel gently after. But the tw^o Indians soon returned 
•Willi tidings, that tliey -discovered the enemy sitting round their 



F"IRST SK^tLlNG OP AMERICA. 9/ 

fircls, in a thick place of brush. When they came pretty near 
the place, the Captain ordered every man to creep as he did/and 
surround them by creeping as near as tliey could, till they should 
be discovered, and then to run upon them, and take them alive 
if possible, (for their prisoners v/erc their pay.) They did so, 
taking every one that were at the lircs, not one escaping. 

Upon examination they agreed in their stories, that they l*- 
longed to Tispaquin, who Was gone with John Bump, and one 
more, to Agawom and Sippican to kill horses; and were not ex- 
pected back in two or three days. 

This same Tispaquin had been a great Captain, and the In- 
dians reported that he was sucli a Pauwcm, that no bullet could 
enter him, &c. Capt. Church said, that he would not have iiiui 
killed, for there was a war broke out in the eastern part of th« 
country, and he would have him saved to go with him to tight 
the eastern Indians. i\greeably he left two old squaws, of th« 
prisoners, and bid them tarry there until their ('aptain, Tispw- 
quin, returned, and to tell him that Church had been there, and 
had taken his wife and children, and company, and carried theui 
down to Plym.outh, and would spare all their lives, and his too? 
if he would come down to thcni, and bring the other two that 
were with him, and they should be liis soldiers, (fcc. 

Capt. Church then returned to Plymouth, leaving tlie old 
squaws well provided for, and biscuit for Tispaquin when lie 
returned ; telling his soldiers, that he doubted not, but he had 
laid a trap that would take him. Capt. Church two days aftiir 
went to Boston, (the commissioners then sitting,) and waited iipou 
the honorable,, Governor Leverett, who then lay sick. He re- 
quested Capt. Church to give him some account of the war, wli* 
readily obliged his honor therein, to his great satisfaction, as he 
was pleased to express himself; taking him by the hand, unci 
'telling him, that if it pleased God that he lived, he would makv 
it a brace of a hundred pounds advantage to him out of th*- 
Massachusetts colony, and would endeavor that the rest of \\i\t 
colonies should do proportionably. But he died within a fort- 
night after, and so nothing was done of that nature. 



99 AN AMERICAN FIELD OP MARS. 

The same day Tispaquin came in and those that were with 
him. But when Capt. Church returned from Boston, he found, 
to his grief, the heads of Annawon, Tispaquin, &c. cut off, which 
wore the last of Philip's friends. 

With the death of Annawon, ended tliis war , and Indian hos- 
tiliues ceased for a time. 

" Indulge, our native land, indulge a tear, 

That steals impassioned o'er a nation's doom. 

To us, each twig of Adam's stock is dear, 

And tears of sorrow deck an Indian's tomb." — Dwight. 

But new jealousies soon aroused the feelings of the Indian* 
ta war, which has ranged the wilds of America to the present 
day. 



Sn' A ]N Z A s . 



The ttagic scenes that stained the age with blood, 

Through Indian wars, three hundred years and more. 
Darken the records earth transmits to God, 

Sullied with crime and sealed with human gore. 
Harsh note of murder in the war-whoop sounds, 

Cliilling the blood as it rolls through the air. 
Horror's whole form, the sense of hearing wounds, 

The savage comes, and with him comes despair ; 
Captivity and murder lead the van. 

Grim death starts baciv, and veils his eyes with dread : 
Before him, horror all its terrors man 

In characters too awful to be read — 
Painted, equipped, behold the savage foe, 

In all the wantonness of fury armed. 
His eyes flash fire, and sudden comes the blow, 

While wounded nature groans with dread alarm. 
Cries, moans, and lamentations, are not heard. 

Mocked are entreaties, all in vain are tears ; 
Mothers and fathers, with their children shared. 

One common butchery, meets the eyes and ears. 
These devastating scenes, America 

Hath long experienced, on her wild frontiers. 
Pressing poor Indian westward, day by day, 

Reluctant yield necessity to fears. 
Reduced in power, his warriors killed and slain, 

Hedged round by white men, whither can he fly? 



100 AX AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

West, west he's journeying, pilgrim o'er the plain, 

To an extinguished race, whose destiny 
Seems sealed by fate on doom's book of the day. 
The page of life, that 's civilized too long. 

Hath groaned beneatli war's heavy handed power- 
Oppression's, lullaby and syren song, 

The chant of tyrants, can please no more. 
The world's long roll, and catalogue of crime, 

And muster records, of all nations shew 
A list of vices, that makes rolling time 

Urge on its wheels, its ranks to overthrow. 
Bemoaning nature, sees the savage sway, 

That rules her children, civilized in crime; 
Time cannot wipe the deadly stain away, 

Nor cleanse the page, nor erase the bloody line. 
Havoc and slaughter for three thousand years, 

With misery and the fangs of war in arms, 
Have traversed earth and bathed her vales in tears, 

With chilling sounds of war-whoop and alarms. 
Our country, now, the abode of honest fame, 

Has witnessed deeds revolting to the mind: 
The powers of Europe, have given up their claim 

And yielded to the force of rights defined; 
As nature's laws, and laws of nature's God — 

The laws of equal rights and liberty, 
The laws of reason, virtue, understood, 

Sanctioned by mankind and the Deity. 
Oppression, tyranny, and war's stern power. 

Before the gospel, must to justice bow; 
The cannon's roar shall rend the air no more, 

Nor trumpet's sound through ether's region ploiir ; 
Joy mounts the gale — peace, peace, the joyful sound, 

Arabia's fragrance floats around the world ; 
Mount Gilead's balm heals death's eternal wound. 

And nations' union, is the flag unfurled. 



STANZAS. 101 

Europe, and Asiaj and 'America, 

The time 's arrived to lay the sword aside. 
And send a herald to poor Africa, 

And for the wants and lives of all provide. 
To God eternal, let all nations join; 

In one grand anthem, sing Emanuel's praise ; 
Let echo bear the sound to every clime, 

And one vast hallelujah end the phrase. 



THE -SVARRIORS TOMB. 



Those beautiful Hues, written by Thomas C. Upliam, a Ncir- 
Hcxmpshire poet, arc a liuishod epitaph ou the tablets of all 
conquerinjj time, exhibiting tlie silence that sleeps in solenm 
memento around and orer the warrior's tomb : 

\h ! where are the soldiers, that fought there of yore? 
The sod is upon them ; they'll struirgle no more ; 

The liatchet is fallen ; the red nijui is low ; 

And near him reposes the arm of his toe.. 

The bugle is silent, the war-whoop is dead; 

There 's a murmur of waters and woods in their stead. 

W here the raven and owl cliaunt a symphony dear, 

I'rom the dark waving pines, oVrtlie combatants bier: 

The light of the sun has sunk in the wave. 

And a louij time ago sat the sun of the brave ; 

The waters complain as they roll o'er the stones, 

\Vhile tlie rank grass encircles a few scattered bones : 

The names of the fallen the traveler leaves, 

("ut out with his knife, on the bark ot the trees ; 

Hut little avails his atiectionate art. 

l\)r the names of the fallen (u-e engraved on the heart. 

The voice of the hunter is loud on the breeze. 

There 's a dashing of water, a rustling of trees, 

Hut the clashing of armor hath long passed away — 

INo wounded or dying are seen hcR^ to-day. 

The eye that once sparkled no longer is bright, 

The arm of the mighty lies vanquished in night, 



THE warrior's TOMB. \^^ 

The bosom that once lor his country beat high , 
To that bosom the clods of the valley are nigh. 
.Sleo]) ! soldiers of merit ; sleep ! gallants of yore ; 
The hatchet is fallen, the istmggle is o'er : 
While the fir-tree is green, and the wind rolls a wave. 
The tear-drop shall brighten the turf of tiie brave. 



INDIAN TRAGEDIES, 



War's dreadfii] sound and cnieltV; 

Echoing through forests' long repose! 
Thy wilds, ah! North- America, 

From skimbcrs long affrighted rose. 
While jealous liatred, black with rage, 

With all the powers of malice fraught, 
The red and white in wars ensfao-e, 

Destruction's grasp, the common lot ; 
One scene of liorror, marked the wild, 

Of savage power and lawless sway, 
The lather, mother and the child, , 

Butchered and slaughtered day by day. 
Humanity revolts the sight 

Of slaughtered victims, stained with gore, 
While all the shades of ancient night, 

The features of these monsters wore. 
The midnight hour, the fire-side, 

The home, protection can't secure, 
The cottage flames through ether glide, 

Heighten the dregs of death the more. 
The morning light often surveys. 

Horrors too shocking to relate ; 
All sex — the child, the youth, the aged — 

The victims of their savagre hate. 
Horror's whole form one terror wore, 

Magera's Crest, the infernal flame, 



INDIAN TRAGEDIES* 105 



The tyrant death, and hell's grim power, 

Forced many a mortal from their. home. . 
Would to heaven barbaric rage 

Was to the Indian race confined ; 
But ah ! our history's modern page,. 

Sees Christian names with them combined. 
France hath her sacred name disgraced, 

And stained her character with guilt, 
Allied with nature's barbarous race, 

She must atone for blood she 's spilt. 
Vengeance hath satisfied its rage, 

History deep record the wound. 
While Revolution's powers engage, 

And earth's whole regions hear the sounds, 
Montcalm is slain, Quebec is lost,. 

Disasters punish nations' sins ; 
Her crime hath dear the nation cost, 

And every soul engage therein. 
Rebellions, revolutions dire. 

Conspiracy and massacres ; 
Murat, and hell-born Robespierre, 

With guillotine and hell asfree. 
Bonaparte, earth's heavy scourge. 

Made Europe tremble with dismay ; 
And France the force of death to charge, 

And Waterloo decide the day. 
The tragic scenes of Muscovy, 

The world records — ah ! sad to tell. 
The dreadful suflferings of that day. 

Of armies that by thousands fell. 
Nature laments the fatal drama. 

Men swept like stubble from the earth ; 
Earth groans, as she beholds the army 

Engage the terribles of death. 
Destruction marked the dreadful way, 
14 



106 AN AMIERICAN FIELD OT" MARS. 

See frost and snow, sufferings complete, 
Hunger, fatigue, and dire dismay, 

Sealed, sealed their everlasting fate. 
But to return to my narration, 

Indian horrors to relate ; 
Sad the tale to every nation. 

Who the scenes of horror hate. 
Every Christian ought to shudder 

At the crime of cruelty. 
Kings and Princes, armies gather, 

To defend their tyranny. 
War 's a scourge, with all its honors, 

Its tender mercies are severe ; 
Kings should disdain the Indian manners, 

Of war in all its cursed career. 
America hath borne the scourge, 

Of savages in dread array ; 
Spreading destruction like a surge. 

Blood-thirsty, as the beasts of prey. 
European Christians led the van 

Of these wild sons, 'gainst innocence. 
Encourage them, contrive and plan, 

The dark design of malevolence. 
The savage marked his path with blood. 

And conflagration's flame arose 
Through smoke, where villages once stood, 

To cool the rage of savage foes. 
Relentless cruelty and rage, 

Stains the black page of every clime ; 
Waged against man in every age, 

Of ancient or in modern time. 
But Indian warfare knows no boimds. 

Extermination ends their rage ; 
Recitals of their history, wounds 
The feelings of the present age. 



INDIAN .TRAGEDIES. 10' 

His fiature jealous, soon provoked, 

To arms, in haste, is his resort j 
Sudden and fatal is the stroke, 

His haste, urge wrong, to wrong by force-. 
Retaliation rules his mind. 

All hardships, he to gratify, 
Freely endures, his foe to find ; 

Rather than yield, we see him die. 
Lisidious, artful to beguile. 

Ignorance rules his ignorance; 
Stubborn revenge, this dreadful child, 

He wants the guide of common sense. 
Often provoked, the wrong we own. 

Redress is right, justice demands ; 
Haste always ends a syren song, 

When it the passions' flame commands. 
Enthusiasm fires his breast. 

Staunch in his friendship as in war ; 
A foe or friend, stands to the test, 

And both with him, contrast, alike shall share. 
Columbus found them friends shicere, 

Native simplicity their grace ; 
Civility their nature cheers. 

And smiles showed pleasure on each face: 
Europeans began the wrong. 

Discovery lit the torch of flame ; 
Foul Demons urged the parties on, 

To deeds of an eternal shame. 
Thousands have suflered horror's fate, 

And died beneath their brutal hands ; 
So barbarous here, once, to relate. 

Whose bare recital dre ad commands. 
The gestures of a savage foe, 

When mad with rage, devils defy ; 
And spectres from the world below, 



106 Alf AMERICAN FIELD OF MAU3. 

Are not more dreadful to the eye. 
Painted in all of horror's forms, 

Dressed in the costume of despair ; 
While malice every bosom warms, 

His actions, words, and eyes roll fire. 
His voice more dreadful than the wolf. 

His war-whoop, chills the air of June ; 
Sight, dreadful as John Milton's death, 

Or all the awfuls of the tomb. 



-COMMENCEMENT OF THE FRENCH WAR, 
IN 1754. 



The treaty of Aux la Chapelle, concluded in 1748, betweett 
France and England, restored peace to America, which had 
been long disturbed by French and Indian hostilities. At this 
period, the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies amounted to 
1,000,000, being mostly confined to the sen coast, and extending 
from Newfoundland to Florida. The French settlements at 
the north, extended from the mouth of St. Lawrence river to 
Montreal : and even on Lake Ontario they had built a fort and 
trading houses. At the south, they had discovered the Missis- 
sippi, and planted New-Orleans ; and claimed the whole of that 
majestic river. They at length determined to connect the 
northern and southern settlements by a chain of posts 
along the frontier ot the English colonies, from Lake On- 
tario to the Ohio river, and down that river and the Missis- 
sippi, to New-Orleans. While this scheme was in contempla- 
tion in the French cabinet, the English established trading 
houses on the Ohio. The French, in the meantime, seized on 
some of their traders, and sent them prisoners to Canada. Tlie 
British complained of this infringement on their rights, to Gov. 
Dinwiddle, of Virginia — the land having been granted, in part, 
to that province. He determined to send a message to the 
French commander on the Ohio, to withdraw his troops. For 
this important service, he selected our beloved Washington, 
then a youth, hardly 21 years of age. To this letter tlia 
French commander replied, that he was ordered to take posses- 
sion of that post by his General, to whom he would transmit thi» 
letter, and implicitly obey his orders. The reply not being 
jsatisfactory to the Governor, preparations were immediately 



110 AN AMERICAN' FIELD OF MARS. 

made to support the British claim. Troops were raised ; and 
fhc command given to Col. Washington. 

Attack on Fort Necessity. 

At the head of 400 men, he advanced, early in the spring, 
into the wilderness. On his route, he met anddeieated a party 
of French, who approached in a hostile manner. He then pro- 
ceeded toward fort Du Ciuesne, (now Pittsburgh); situated at 
the junction of tlie Alleghany and Monongahela rivers. From 
this fort, Dc Yilliers, at ihe head of 900 troops, advanced to 
meet Washington, Hearing of his approach, Washington halt- 
ed, mid hastily erected a small stockade, which he called fort 
Necessity, where he determined to defend himself till reinforce- 
ments might arrive. He was immediately attacked, and closely 
invested by Do Yilliers ; but making a brave and terrible re- 
sistance, he was oHered the most honorable terms of capitulation, 
by the generous De Yilliers, to save the needless waste of human 
life — M'^hich he accepted. Yilliers, not like Montcalm at Oswego 
and fort William Henry, strictly adhered to the conditions 
agreed upon, and let our young hero and companions depart , 
who returned to A'irginia, and joined his regiment, with tlie 
distinguished honor of being praised for his skill and bravery 
by an enemy. 

The colonics concerted measures for their mutual defence . 
held a conference with the Six Nations of Indians ; and formed 
a plan of union. This plan provided that delegates to a gene- 
ral government should be chosen h\ the representatives of tlie 
people; and that a President General should be named by the 
King. This was rejected by Parliament, because the delegates 
were to be chosen by the representatives of the people — which 
was denied by the colonies, tliey contending that otherwise it 
would be placing too much power in the hands of the crown. 
In England, jealousies were entertained of the rapid growth of 
the colonial assemblies. In America, the people, even at thi* 
•arly day, began to feel actuated by the spirit of independence. 

The conduct of the French, on the Ohio, soon convinced 
British cabinet that their claim to the country through which 



COMMENCEMENT OF THE FRENCH WAR. Ill 

the Mississippi flowed, must be maintained by the sword, or 
relinquished. They chose the first. And, accordingly, in tl» 
spring of 1755, they sent Gen. Braddock, and a hirgc force, to 
America, to dislodge the French, and take possession of the 
country claimed by that nation. In April, Gen. Braddock met 
tlic colonial assemblies, to concert measures for the ensuing 
campaign. Three expeditions were resolved on. One against 
fort Du Q,ucsne, commanded by Gen. Braddock, in person ; one 
against Niagara and fort Frontiuac, connnandcd by Gen. 
Shirley ; and one against Crown-Point, commanded by Gen. 
Johnson. 

The last men,tioncd post lay nearest New-England, from 
which the Indian excursions were frequent against the frontier 
settlements, being supported by French influence, in all their 
mad career. This expedition was to be executed by troops 
raised in New-England and New- York. While these expedi- 
tions were preparing for execution, another was carried on a- 
gainst the French in Nova-Scotia, which province was ceded to 
the British by the treaty of Utrecht. About two thousand mili- 
tia, commanded by Col. Winslow, embarked at Boston, and be- 
ing joined by three hundred regulars on their passage, arrived in 
April, at their rendezvous. The Ibrt was invested, the resistance 
feeble and ineffectual ; in a short time the British gained pos- 
session of the province, with the loss of only three privates. 
The preparations of Gen. Braddock, in Virginia, proceeded slow- 
ly. It had been found extremely difficult to fiu'nish the neces- 
sary supplies. Impatient of delay, he determined to march with 
twelve hundred men, selected from the corps, and to proceed as 
rapidly as possible towards Fort Du Q,uesne ; while the residue 
of the army aud heavy baggage, under the command of Col. 
Dunbar, was to follow as soon as in readiness. The General had 
been educated in the English army, in Europe, and in the sci- 
ence of war as practiced there. He was a brave officer, pos- 
sessed of more than ordinary skill ; of his reputation he was 
vain, haughty and arrogant, and disdained to gain knowledg* 
from' Col. Washington and others, of bush fighting in America, 



112 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS 

With savages, — whose mode of warfare ill suits the tactics ot 
European skill. Before he left England, he was repeatedly cau- 
tioned to beware of surprise. And on Ins march through the 
■"vnldernesss, the provincial officers frequently entreated with him 
to scour the surrounding thickets: but he held the officers and 
the enemy in too much contempt to take their advice. Col. 
Washington made a last attempt to induce him to change his or- 
der of march. He explained the mode of Indian warfare, and 
represented the danger, and offered to take command of the pro- 
vincials and place himself in advance of the army ; to which 
die liaughty fool, strutting with his arras a kim-bow, replied, 
high times, high times, by God ; shall an American buck-skin 
teach a British General how to fight ? Thus, Braddock , confi- 
dent in his own skill and merit, marched himself and army on 
to certain destruction, while Col. Washing:on and other Ameri- 
can officers, seeing ruin impending, through the rashness of 
ignorance, trembled as they advanced. 

B roddock's Defeat 
Tlie 9th of July, the army crossed the Monongahela, a few 
miles from fort Du Quesne. Their route lay through a defile, 
■wliich they had nearly passed, when a tremendous yell, and a 
heavy discharge of fire-arms suddenly burst upon them from an 
nnseen foe. The van was tlurown into confusion; the General 
led the main body to their support ; ior a moment, order was re- 
stored, and a short cessation of the enemy's fire, on account 
of the death of their officer, seemed to indicate that all was over. 
"But the demons of destruction soon renewed the attack with re- 
doubled fury ; concealed behind trees, lo^s, rocks, and every 
covert they could find — the woods seemed in a blaze, and a tem- 
pest of lead from an almost invisible hand. Here, haughtiness 
too late, found its mistake, and pride, that insignia of folly, saw- 
its own littleness. Death overwhelmed the ranks that fell like 
stubble betbre a rasfinsr fire. Those who survived, saw nothimr 
to contend with, but death ; no place of refuge, but the wilder- 
ness, filled with hell-hoimds, scenting carnage. The English line 
i)f battle, was all confusion ; the General obstinately courageous. 



COMMENCEMENT OP THE FRENCH WAU. 113 

hetii his whole eftbrt to restore ordelr. He persisted in his mad 
career, till five horses were shot under him, and every ofiicev 
on horseback, except Col. Washington^ was killed or wounded. 
Braddock was soon shot from hishorse ; when the Tout became 
general. Col. Washington 'rallied his provincials, and covered 
the retreat, until they met Col. Dunbar, sixty miles in the rear, 
and communicated to him the fatal intelligence. On holdinfi^ « 
council, it was agreed to leave the wilderness, and seek safety by 
(light — though no enemy had been seen during the engagement, 
or afterwards. The retreat was continued to fort Cumberland, 
one hundred and twenty miles from the scene of action ; wher« 
they recruited the army for a short time, when Col. Dunbar, on 
whom the command devolved after the death of Braddock, with 
the remainder of the army, fifteen hundred strong, marched to 
Philadelphia, leaving the frontiers of Pennsylvania and Virgiui* 
to the mercy of the merciless Indians. 

The provincial troops, whom Braddock so much despised, 
displayed, during the engagement, the courage of veterans, and 
calmness of heroes. '^Phough placed in the roar, they alone, 
led on by our young hero, Washington, after the defeat, stiH 
took the rear, and stepped in between the living and the dead, 
covered the retreat, and brought off the survivors from the field 
of sorrow, with honor to diemselves, and credit to their country. 

In this bloody battle, sixty- four, out of the eighty-four oflicerai, 
were either killed or wounded, and at least one half of the army. 

The tw0 northern expeditions, though not so disastrous, wore 
both unsuccessful. Gov. Shirley, who commanded the Niagjiru 
expedition, met with so many delays that he did not reach Os- 
wego till late in August. While embarking, to proceed against 
Niagara, the fall rains commenced ; his troops became discour- 
aged ; his Indian allies deserted him, and he relinquished the 
design as impracticable, for the present. 

The army designed to act against Crown-Point, with the r«»- 

quisite military stores, could not be collected at Albany till tlie 

last of August. Thence the army, under the command of Cj«u. 

Johnson, proceeded to Lake George, on their way to their place 

15 



114 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

of destination. Here he learned that the arrtiy fitted out from 
France, had, eluded the British squadron, and had arrived safe 
at Q,uobec; and that Baron Dicskau, the commander of the 
{'""rench forces, was advancing towards the Englisli settlements. 
Gen. Johnson immediately prepared to receive, liim ; tlirowing 
up a temporary breast-wovk, and sent Col. AVilliaras, with a 
thousand men, to impede the progress of tlie opproiiching ene- 
my. Dieskau, who had advanced near, was informed of Vvil- 
1 tains' approacli, without losing a nwraent, ordered his soldiers 
to conceal themselves. The English marched into the midst of 
(heir enemy, and from- every quarter received a sudden and 
deadly fire. Col. "Williams was killed, and his men fied to the 
main army, at the lake. They were closely pursued by th6? 
L\ench, who approached within one hundred and futy yards of 
the breast-work ; and had they made an instantr.neous attack, 
Ujoy might, probably, have carried the works by assault. But 
lialtino" to malvc dispositions for a regular attack, the Indians 
and Canadians v/ere detaclied to the llanivs, and the regulars 
oommenced tlie action by firing: platoons. The firing was inef- 
fectual, and the prpvincials, recovering from their first panic, 
resumed their courage. A few discharges from the artillery, 
dJ-ove the Canadians and Indians into the camp. The regulars, 
maintained the conflict, for more; than au hour, with courage 
and resolution. The Baron Dieskau, seeing all future efforts 
unavailing, ordered a retreat. On which the provincials, Vv'itli- 
out orders, -leaped over the entrenchments, and killed and drove 
tiie French from the field. The Baron was wounded', and 
made prisoner. 

The next day. Col. Blancher, who commanded at fort Edward, 
dtoputched Capt. Folsom, of New-Hampshire, with two hundred 
men, to reinforce Gen. Johnson. On his way he discovered 
three or four hundred of the eHemy, seated round a small pond, 
(rlow called Bloody Pond,) not far from the place where Col. 
Williams had. been defeated and slain. Notwithstanding his 
mferiorily in mmibers, ho determined to attack them. So sud- 
^iM and .furious m'os the onset, mingled with surprise, that after 



COMMENCElVrENT OF THE FRENCH WAR 115 

u- bloody and sliarj!) contest, he drove them, with the point of 
the bajronct, and they fled from this consecrated spot in confu- 
sion. 

In the several tog-agdments, the' c61dM6s lost tv/o hundred 
men, and the enemy seven liilndred. Gen. Johnson, though 
strongly solicited by Massachusetts to proceed 'on the expedition, 
refused, and most of liis troops rbtitmcd home. ■ '.Thusen&d tht; 
campaijs:!! of 1755: Itv/as opeft'^d Wiffl' th'e ^brij^h test prospect"!! 
of succe.'^s^ 'Immense prepr^ratitirls had' b(5i^ri fflade ; yet, not 
one of the contemplated objects of the three' great expeditions 
had be^n' achieved. The southern frontiers being'' left unpro- 
tected, the usual depredations of the savages weredteadfal and 
Irequent. '' ' ■' •. ' • ■'■ ' '' "" ' ''■ ' 

• ' Campaign oflToG. 

The colonies, undismayed by the ill fortune of the last year, ' 
renewed their exertions to face the terrors of v/M', the next can> 
paign. Gen. Shirley assembled a council 'of Avar at New- York, 
to '^dnstilt measures for' the' tesiiihj^ydai-.'' H6 proposed an ex- 
pedition against fort Du (^ueisne, Niagara, and Grown-Point ; 
and that an army should be sdnt by the \V'ay'bf the river Chau* 
dier, to Canada, to alarm l;hfe Frcncih f6^'"th6 'Safety of Quebec. 
The plan was appfoi^d of by the'douncii. . 'Gov. Shi'iiey, on 
the L^st of January, reiurneli to Boston. Re eridefavored to per- 
suade them to adopt the measures h'gteed on 'at 'New-York ; but; 
disgusted with the' proceedings of' the lasf'Chiiipaign, fetnd esfie- 
cially v/ith Geh: Johtison's refu^ng' to piir^'tfe' the adV-ahtages' ' 
gained, they were unvvillin.g to enga'g'e in oiTehsive operations, 
unless the command should be given to Gen. Winslowj l'^hos«j 
popularity rOse with his success i'l?!- N6vd-Sc6tia. "T^lieir wish 
was granted by the Governor, and arrangements were accord- 
ingly iriadc. 

In April, news arrived from England sanctioning the conduct 
of Gen. Johnson ; considering it highly meritorious, ftnfl as a 
reward for his courage they conferred on him the title of baro- 
net, and Parhament voted him £.5000 sterling. And, also, his 
U?^io.--'j disapproval of the conduct of Gov. Shirley, and his 



116 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

determination to remove him from office. This mformation, not 
being official, Gov. Shirley made his arrangements for the next 
year Mith activity and zeal. "While engaged in collecting troops, 
from the different colonies, at Albany, Gen. Webb arrived from 
England with official intelligence of the Governor's removal. 
On the 25th of June, Gen. Abercrombie arrived, and took com- 
mand of the army, consisting now of twelve thousand men. It 
was better organized, and more in number than ever was brought 
into the field in America, while war was raginar between the 
two nations in America. Their friendship at home remained as 
usual, till England, .in May, 1756, declared war, and France, m 
June following. 

An Attack on Osivego, by Motilcalm. 

The charge of commanders delayed the operations of tlie 
English army. The French were very active ; and on the 
12th of July, Gen. Abercrombie received certain intelligence of 
a contemplated attack, by the French, on the garrison of Oswego. 
(Jen. Webb was ordered to march with a regiment to its immedi- 
ate relief. In the meantime Lord Loudon, who had been ap- 
pointed generalissimo of the British armies in America, arrived. 
In the midst of the ceremonies attcndins; so ausrust an occasion, 
war was forgotten by those preyers on the public purse, and Os- 
wego fell a sacrifice to public folly. Gen. AVebb did not march 
till Xhe 12th of August. Intelligence soon met him, that Mont- 
calm, with a large force had besieged Oswego. Alarmed, this 
eaitcrprizing, petticoated General, consulting his own safety 
more than his country's honor, immediately halted and fortified 
his camp. 

On the 12th, the day Webb commenced his march, the fort 
was invested. On the 14th, the English commander having 
been killed, terms of surrender were proposed by the garrison- 
which were accepted by Montcalm, whose word was deceit, 
whose honor a name, whose humanity the tiger would despise. 
Tlie terms agreed to were shamefully violated. Several of the 
British officers and soldiers were insulted, robbed, and massa- 
ored, by the Indians. Most of the sick were killed and scalped 



COMMENCEMENT OP THE FRENCH WAR. 117 

in the hospital, while the gallant Monsieur Montcalm feasted 
his ej'-es with savage barbarity, that now haunts his smutty 
ghost in Erebus. And, to climax the whole, he gave up twenty 
persons, taken prisoners, to his copper colored brethren, (that 
being the number of Indians killed during the siege,) as an of- 
fering to appease the god of war, and satiate liis blood-thirsty- 
dispositions. Who, like Cyrus of old, ought, by the hand of a 
woman, to have his head cut from his savage carcass-, and 
thrown, like Cyrus', into a bowl of blood, that it might drink 
its till. 

Gen. Webb retreated, unmolested, to Albany. Lord Loudon- 
pretended that it was too late in the season to attempt any thing 
further, though Gen. Winslow's troops were within a few days' 
march of Ticonderoga and Crown-Point, Vv'ith numbers appa- 
rently sufficient to justify an attaak upon those places. ; 

The spring had opened, promising much, and closed without 
achieving a single event, honorable to the British crown, or 
advantageous to the colonies. This want of success was justly 
attributed to the removal of the provincial officers, owing to th» 
jealousy of the British ministers, who, to checlv the growth of 
talents in the colonies, were unwilling to employ them. Th« 
several provincial assemblies, although they saw themselves 
slighted, and their money squandered away, made all the pre-' 
parations that were required of them for the next campaign. 
Campaign of 1757. 

The reduction of Louisburgh was the great object of minis- 
lers; to which they directed the attention of Lord Loudon. 
In the spring of 1757, he sailed from New- York with six thou- 
sand men, and, at Halifax, met Admiral Holborn, with trans- 
ports, and an equal number of troops, and a naval force consisting 
of fifteen sail of the line. Shortly after, intelligence arrived that 
a large reinforcement of French troops had lately landed at 
Louisburgh, and expressed their readiness to wait on the British 
at any hour they thought fit to pay them a visit. Disheartened 
by this intelligonce, the General and Admiral abandoned the 
expedition I 



lis 'JiS AMEIIICA,N FIELD OF MARS. 

While the English commanders were idle, the French were 
etileri-riiiiiig and active. In ^larch, Gen. Montcalm made a 
descent on fort William Henry, situated on the south end ot 
Lalcc George, but was defeated by the vigilance ol the Britisii 
garrison. He returned to Crown-Point, leaving a party oi 
troops at Ticonderoga. Against this fortress the Englisli com- 
mander sent Col. Parker with four hundred men. The Colonel 
was deceived in his intelligence, decoyed into an ambuscade, 
and attaciied with such fury that lie lost three hundred of his 
men, and the rest saved themselves by flisfht. 

A Second Attack on Fort William Htnri/y 

Montcalm, encouraged by this success, determined to pay fort 
William Henry anotlier visit. For tliiseiiterprize he assembled 
ten tliousand men, regulars, Canadians, aiid Indians. Major 
Putnam, apprisedof Montcalm s approach, informed Gen. Webb. 
The General enjoined silence, and took no measures to meet the 
tlireateaed danger, although he lay at lort Edward, only fourteen 
miles distant, with four thousand men, and could call on tho 
provinciid governments lor reinforcements.- He only sent Col. 
Monroe to take command, who was ignorant of the dangei. 
The day after this otlicer took command, to his surprize he saw 
tlie lake covered with boats, filled with lui assembly of earth's 
miscreants, swiftly approaching the sliore. A landing was soon 
cftlct;ed, and the siege commenced. The garrison, twenty-five 
hundred strong, expecting immediate relief made a brave resist- 
ance. Col. Monroe sent an express to that dastardly coward, 
Webb, for assistance. These notices he disregarded, and seem- 
ed indilTerent to their situation. At length, on the Oth day of the 
siege, Gen. ^Vebb despatched Sir William Johnson, witli a body 
of men, to his relieil Tliey had proceeded three miles, v.-hen 
the connuand v/as countermanded. Webb then wrote to Col. 
Monroe that he could afford him no assistance, and advised him 
to surrender on tlie best conditions he could ol>taau. This letter 
Wixs intercepted by Montcalm, who handed it himself to Coi. 
Monroe. All hoix^s p| relief being extinguished^ articles ot 
capitulation were agreed upon. The prisoners were to be pro-i 



COM'MENCEMENT OF THE FRENCH WAR. 119 

tected from the savages, and the sick and wounded to be treated 
with humanity. But, next morning-, a great number of savages 
were aduiitted within the hues ; where tlicy began to plunder, 
and, meetmg with no opposition, they fell upon the sick and 
wounded, whom they innnediately butcliered. The unarmed 
troops v/ere then surrounded by these monsters of cruelty, and 
a general massacre ensued. Col. Monroe hastened to Montcalm, 
imploring him to regard the stipulations, but in v»ain. This 
hellish miscreant of earth witnessed this horrid sight with indil- 
lerence, while pity only wept over her children. All was dread 
and horror. On every side, savage fury reigned. Murder, 
butchery, massacre, the scalping knife, the hideous 3"eHs, the 
groans of the dying, the frantic gestures of others, shrinking 
from the uplifted tomahawk, excited no sympathy Irom theii* 
French neifrhbors, Vviio stood unmoved at a sight so detesta- 
ble. The fury of the savages was permitted to rage without 
restraint, till a large number v/ere killed, or hurried into cap- 
tivity. 

The day after this tragedy, Mai. Putnam was sent, with his 
ransrers, to watch the motion o# the enemy. When lie came to 
the shore of the lake, the enemys rear was hardly ont of tlie 
reach of musket shot. The prospect was truly horrid and 
appalling to sight. T'he Ibrt was demolished, the barracks and 
buildings were yet burning, innuHserable fragments of human 
carcasses were broiling in tlie decaying fires ; dead bodies with' 
scalping knives and tomahawks, in all the wantonness of Indian 
cruelty, assisted by F|vncii demagogues, scattered on the blood 
stained earth, of horror rendered horrible to sight of tliose call- 
ed Christians. '•'* 

Tlie British government, on the news of these disasters, re-- 
suiting from folly, dismissed their iniuister, and placed the 
celebrated William Pitt at the head of affairs: whose persever- 
ance and industry for his country's welfare, the sequel shows. 
Campaign of 175S. 

The next campoiu opens with tiiree expedition planned. 
One of 12,000 men against Louisburgh ; 16,000 asfuinst Ticon- 



J'20 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MAUS, 

derocfa and Crown-Point, and one against fort Du QuesnC, oi 
800 strong. The colonics were to lend all the assistance in 
their power. 

Louisbiir.^h Taken. 

Gen. Amherst commanded the Louisburgh expedition under 
whom Wolfe .served as a brigadier. Loui.sburgh surrendereel 
»n llie 26th of July, after a sieffe of forty-six days. 
1 'icon derog-a A /.tacked. 

Gen. Abcrcrojnbie commanded the Ticonderoga enterprize ;• 
and with an army of 17,000, attacked that fortress, and, alter 
four hours hard fighted, was defeated, with the loss of Lord 
Howe, and nearly two thousand men. 

Fort Frontinac Taken. 

To retrieve this loss in part. Gen. Abercronibie despatched 
C'ol. Brudstreet, with 3000 men, against fort Frontinac, (now 
Kingston,) at the out-let of Lake Ontario : which soon surren- 
dered, with all its stores, merchandize, provisions, Aic. ; which 
assisted the third expedition, as it deprived the Indians of their 
stipulated supplies. 

Foit Du Quesne Evacuated. 

The third expedition, commanded by Gen. Forbs, marched 
Irom Philadelphia die beginning of July. After a tedious tour 
they arrived at Raystown, ninety miles from fort Du Quesne ; 
where his advance was met, by the enemy, who, after an obsti- 
nate resistance, was defeated with great slaughter. Gen. Forb.s 
r^dvanced cautiously towards the fort. The enemy, dreading a 
.%iege, destroyed the fort and works, and retreated ' down the 
Ohio. , 

Lord Pitt:s commanding talents inspired confidence. The 
successes of these campaigns roused the spirit of the nation to 
redoubled exertions, to wrest from the French the remaining ter- 
ntory they possessed in America. 

Campaign of 1759. 

The campaign of 1758, was highly honorable to the British 
«Tmies. Of the throe expeditions, two completely succeeded, 
aind the leader of the third had made an important conquest. 



COMMENCEMENT OP THE FRENCH WAR. 121 

Lord Pitt's plans evinced his bold and energetic mind. Antici- 
pated conquest, for the next campaign, roused the nation to re- 
double its exertions ; with such a man as Lord Pitt at the helm, 
tliey thought success almost certain. Three different armies 
were ordered to be ready for the next campaign, to attack the 
tlirec yet remaining strong posts of the French in America^ — 
Niagara, Ticonderoga and Quebec. 

Niagara Taken. 

In July, 1759, Gen. Prideaux embarked on Lake Ontario, with 
an army against Niagara. On the 6th, landed about three miles 
from the fort. He, without delay, marched against the fortress, 
and commenced a siege. In the prosecution of which, he was 
accidentally killed by the bursting of a shell. The command 
devolved on Sir William Johnson. He was soon attacked by tlie 
French and Indians ; over them he triumphed' in a decisive 
victory, which was followed by a surrender. 
Ticonderoga Evacuated. 

Gen. Amherst, who commanded the Ticonderoga enterprise, 
found so many difficulties to encounter, that he was not able to 
appear before that garrison till late in July. The French, fearing- 
the issue of a siege, abandoned the works. Gen. Amherst re- 
paired the fortifications, and then proceeded against Crown- 
Point. The enemy deserted this post, also, and retired to Isle 
Aux Noix. To dri\rethe French from this station, great ei- 
forts were made by the British commander. Much time was 
spent, but the weather proving boisterous, the lake presented a. 
barrier to victory. Gen. Amherst led back his army to Crown- 
Point, and encamped for the winter. 

The Expedition against Quebec. 

This expedition was far the most important of the three. 
The point of land on which the city stands, is strong by nature, 
an drendered doubly so by art. It may be justly called the Ameri- 
can Gibralter, Situated on the north side of the river St, Law- 
rence, on a point of land formed by the junction of St. Charles 
river from the north. The St. Lawrence, to the south of 'th« 
town is scarce a: mile wide. Point Levi, lies opposite on the 
1^- 



122 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

loiitli shore, within cannon sliot. Immediately below the 
town the river widens to nearly two miles, which still widens 
eastward towards the gnU as far as the eye can survey from the 
upper town ; so called Irom its standing on a rock, nearly or 
quite 100 feet above the lower town, or the river bank. En- 
closing in its bosom four miles from duebec, the beautiful Isle 
of Orleans, with a sufficient depth of water on cither side, for 
ships of the heaviest burden to navigate. The falls on the river 
Montmerancy, nine miles below Quebec, said to be three hun- 
dred leet high, and which fall into the north clumnel, are in plain 
view from the upper town, and Cape Diamond, The plains of 
Abraham lie to the west of the city. The walls of the town, 
extend from the edges of the rock, Hear the river St. Lawrence 
northwardly, inclining east to the river St. Charles, and thence 
to the deep waters in the bay, or projecting rocks. 

'Every expedition aijainst this place had ftiiled. Montcalm 
commanded the French army — that savage monster of cruelty, 
still, red with slaughter from the awful tragedy of fort William 
Henry, on the shores of Lake George, and tlie horrid, savag-e 
butchery of Oswego. Although tiger by nature, and savage 
hearted, he was an able and experienced olliccr. 

The strength of duebec only increased the marshal powers of 
such a man as Lord Pitt, to engage in its conquest. He judged, 
and rightly, that the most daring ent^prises were often attended 
with the best success, where energy exerts its powers. To such 
a character as yoimg Wolfe, whose mind ranked him on the 
list of earth's greatness, was assigned the bold and hazardous 
undertaking. His conduct daring the last campaign in the 
reduction of Louisburg, recommended him to ministerial favor : 
who appoints him to that important command, and gave him 
for assistants, Generals Murry, Townsend, Monston, briga- 
diers, allhke himself, youug and ardent. Early in the season 
of 1750, he sailed from Halifax, in company with Admiral San- 
ders, and eight thousand men. The last of June, he landed on 
the Isle of Orleans, a few miles east of (Quebec. From this sit- 
uation, he could take a full view of the obstacles to be overcome. 



COMMENCJCMENT OF THE PRENCH WAR. 123 

These appeared so great, that the sanguine spirit of Wolfe, des- 
pondius:, he wrote to the minister, that he saw more before him 
♦to fear t^ian hope. 

A large army to conquer, under an able commander, strongly 
entrenched on the north side of the river, from St. Charles river, 
to Montnserancy. Gen. AVolfe took possession of Point Levi 
and commenced a cannonade with little effect. He next resolv- 
ed to quit Point Levi, and land his army belov\r Montmerancy; 
cross that river, and attack Montcalm in his entrenchments. 
He succeeded in landing his troops, and gave particular orders 
when crossing the Montmerancy lor the attack — not to have a 
charge made on the enemy's worlds, till the whole army should 
land, form., and make a general assault at one onset. These or- 
ders were disobeyed. A port having crossed and landed, the 
French opening a galling and heavy fire Oh their lines, their 
courage under such circumstances could not b):ook restraint, 
they immediately, without orders, rushed upon the French works, 
but were so warmly saluted from the musketry of their enemy, 
that they made a hasty retreat ; which disconcerted the whole 
plan, and Gen. Wolfe and army retired on board the shipping, 
iliagrined at defeat. At this moment intelligence arrived, that 
.'Niagara was taken ; Ticonderoga and Crown-Point had been 
abandoned ; and that Gen. Amherst, instead of pressing for- 
ward to their assistance, was preparing to attack Isle Aux Noix. 
Gen. Wolfe rejoiced at the triumph of his brethren in arms. His 
mind, lofty and susceptible, was deeply impressed, wliich prey- 
ed on his delicate form, and sensibly ' effected his health. He 
was frequently observed to sigh, and declared to his' friends that 
he could not survive the disa:race, wliich he said must attend the 
failure of the enterprise. 

Despairing of success belov/ the tovvm, lie turned his attention 
above it. Accordingly, Admiral Sanders landed a part of his 
troops at Point Levi, and sailed with the'remainder up the river. 
Montcalm, immediately^despatched D'Boganville, ^vlth 1500 rnen 
to Gape Rouge, to wati;h the motion of the English. Here Gen'. 



124 AN AMERICAN FIELD Of MARS. 

Wolfe formed his plan of attack, and made his dispositions 
accordingly. 

Battle on Abrahams Plains. 
On the 12th of September, one hour after midnight, Gen. 
Wolfe and army, leaving their shipping, dropped silently down 
tlie cnrrent to what is now called "Wolte's Cove, one mile cibove 
the city. This place was a critical one. They had to navigate 
in silence down a rapid stream. To hit upon a right place for 
landing in a dark night, might easily defeat the whole enterprise. 
The shore was shelving, and bank steep, lofty, and scarcely ac- 
cessible without opposition. This lulled Montcalm into securi- 
ty. He thouglit that such an enterprise was absolutely impos- 
sible ; and therefore had only placed sentinels, and a picket guard 
along the shore. The attempt was in the greatest danger of 
being defeated by one circumstance, which is very interesting, 
as marking more emphatically the very great delicacy of ths 
undertaking. One of the French sentinels, stationed on the 
shore, challenged one of the British boats, in the customary mili- 
tary language of the French, Who goes there ? To which a 
captain, belonging to Frazier's regiment, who had served in Po- 
land, and was familiar with the French language and customs, 
promptly replied. La France. The next question was more em- 
barrassing, for the sentinel demanded to what regiment they 
belonged. The captain who happened to know the name of one 
of the regiments that was up the river with D"Boganvillc, repli- 
ed, the Queen's. The soldier instantly returned, pass. The other 
sentinals were in a similar manner deceived. But one less 
credulous than the rest, ran down to the water's edge, called out, 
Why don't you speak louder ? The captain with perfect self 
command, replied, hush! we shall be overheard and discovered. 
This satisfied the sentinel, who returned to his post. The Brit- 
it>li boats were on the point of being fired upon, by a captain of 
one of their own transports, who, ignorant of what was acting, 
took them for French. But Gen. Wolfe rowed along side in per- 
•on, and prevented their firing. Gen. Wolfe, though greatly 



COMMENCEMENT OP THE FREKCH WAR. 125 

reduced by a fever, to which a dysentery was added, was th» 
first man to leap ashore. Here nature saw her children, und^r 
covert of her night, making arrangements to deceive, decoy, and 
concert plans to butcher, murder, and kill their own species. 
Even Christians against Christians, insulting the laws of God, 
and trampling under foot humanity, reason, conscience, and 
every tender feeling that adorns the human heart. 

The rugged precipice, full of projecting rocks, shrubs grow- 
ing everywhere amongst the cliffs, into which the bank \vm 
broken, presented a most formidable appearance. 

Gen. Wolfe, familiarly speaking to an officer standing by, 
said, I do not believe it is possible to get up, but you must do 
your endeavors. The troops, at command, began to climb,., 
laying hold of shrubs and projecting rocks ; soon gained the 
height, and dispersed the guard ; the whole army followed, and 
by day-light were formed und^r their respective leaders. 

This precipice is from one iiundred and fifty, to two hundred 
feet high,— still very rude. 

Here, Gen. Wolfe staked all upon a very hazardous enterprise. 
Had he been discovered by a deserter or a spy, and an alarm 
given, his army would inevitably have been lost. The plairrf 
of Abraham, on which the battle was fought, as before mention- 
ed lies west and south of the town, commencing the moment 
you leave the walls. They are a very elevated piece of ground , 
as must of course be the fact, as they are the height of the suna- 
mit that terminates at the river. Their site is nearly level ; fre« 
from trees, and all obstructions. About the years 1809 and 1810, 
the English built on these .plains, three stone towers which add 
much to the strength of the place, as cannon from their obelisks 
\ can completely command the plams. 

Montcalm at first could not believe that the English had gained 
the height. Wlien convinced of the fact, he comprehended th« 
full advantage they had gained, and prepared to meet them. 
He marched his army across the St. Charles, from his entrench- 
ment at Beauport, and between the hour of nine and ten o'clocfe 



196' AN AMERICAN FIF.LD OF MARS 

the t\vo armies met face to face, to decide tlie fate of Qu^bed, By 
all the horrors of 15,000 men determined to kill and destroy 
each other, with all the means tliat God. nature, and art, had 
given them. The plains of Abrfiham seemed a volcano, rolling' 
thunder, smol:,--, and fire, thron^h ether, bearini^ departed spirit^ 
from mangled carcasses to the throne of Jehovah. Montcalm's 
numbers were nearly eqiihl to thbse of the English'Jirmy ; hut 
nearly half of liis troo^is tvere Indians and Canadians, while 
Wolle's wfjre disciplined troops of the best description. Mont- 
calm made the best disposition possible of his men ; apportion- 
ing his regulars in such distinct bodies as to support his irregu- 
lars in the most effectual manner. In front amongst the corn- 
fields and bushes, he placed 1500 of his best marksmen, prihci-; 
pally Canadians and Indians, whose destructive fire Atas pa- 
tiently borne by the British line — but they reserved their ewn 
till the enemy, whose main body they perceived was rapidly 
advancing, was within forty yards, when they gave 'it, 'Vith 
immense effect. The French fought bravely, but they were 
soon broken. Notwithstanding one oj two attempts to rally, 
make a stand, and renew the attack, they' were so firmly attack- 
ed' by the British bfeyonet, and hewn dowri by the Highland 
broad-sword, that their discomforture was complete. 

The two commanders took their stations — Montcalm on tho 
left, and Wolfe on the right of tlicir respective armies— which 
brousfht them together w;icre the battle was most severe ; where 
they both fell in the. critical moment that decided the vic- 
tory. Gen. "VVolfe, in the eari^ patt of the action, received a 
ball in the wrist. He bound it u'p in his handkerchief, and 
continued to encourage his trodps. Soott after, another ball 
penetrated his groin ; but this painiul wound he concealed, and 
persevered till a third ball pierced 'his breast. He then submit- 
ted to be carried intrt tlierearof the line: and the command 
devolved on Gen. Monston, who was soon mortally wounded. 
Gen. To\vnsend then took the command. About this time, 
P'Boganville returned with 1500 men. The French being- 



COMMENCEMENT OF THE FRENCH WAR. 127 

routed and flyins^, Gen. Townsend ordered two or tliree reg- 
iments to attack them. But the French withdrew mid left 
tlie field to the conquerors ; who pursued the vanquished to tlw 
gates of the city — which opened and let the fugitives in. 

The French lost about one thousand, killed and wounded r 
and the English about half that number. 

Gen. "VYolfe, when he was no longer able to stand, leaned his 
head on the breast of a lieutenant, who sat down lor that pur- 
pose. Being roused by the distant sound of " They fly V^ he 
eagerly aslced, " Who fly ?" and being told, the French, he 
replied, " I die happy." He asked to be sustained on his feet, 
that he might once more behold the field ; but his sight was 
gone, and death was fast advancing. He instantly expired. 
His death has furnished a worthy theme for the poet, historian, 
or painter. As a specimen of military glory, it has lew rivals 
on the annals of war. 

With less of good fortune, but not less of heroism, died th© 
gallant Montcalm. 

When told that his wound was mortal, he replied, "So 
much the better. I shall not, then, live to see the surrender of 
duebec." 

Gen. Seneargus, the second in command, also fell. And with 
them fell the city of Glubec, and the last remaining hope of 
French possessions in America. Four days after the battle, the 
city surrendered. Montreal and all the French posts in Canada 
surrendered the following year, (1760.) — Peace v/as concluded 
in Paris, early in the year 1763. By this treaty France ceded 
to Great Britian all her northern settlements in America, v^'hich 
relieved the colonies from the continual dread of savaga 
invasions. 

Thirst for pov/er, insatiate fiend. 
Disturber: of the human soul, 

To reason and to justice blind, 
When passions have the full control. 



ISt AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

Humanity is laid aside, 
The sword and spear usurps its place, 

The glory honor and the pride 
Of battle fields, is fame disgraced. 



AN AMERICAN TRAGIC POETICAL HISTORY 



The French War of 1754—63. 

In seventeen hundr d and fifty five, 

The year of war's calamity ; 
England its fury realized, 

In thy lone wilds, America. 
France, to protect her monarch's clami, 

To lands, discovery, only sold ; 
Sends forth her armies to maintain. 

The right that nati /; s ought to hold. 
Britain her neighbor's rights denied, 

And claimed the coveted transfer ; 
Sends forth her haughty sons of pride. 

To test the follies found in war. 

Braddodc's Defeat. 

Braddock's defeat through arrogance. 

His life paid little of tlie cost, 
The allied savages of France, 

Shot this mad Briton from his horse. 
Urged on by self-conceit, he dies, 

And with him many a hero bold ; 
Though warned, he shunned not the surprise, 

Of which he frequent had been told; 
Our Washington's advice disdained. 

Contemptuous sneers his patience tried, 
Suppressing .\nger saw with pain, 

Approaching danger round them glide,. 
When lo ! the thickets in a blaze, 

Burst in a moment with the yells; 
The rifles rattle and amaze, 

Changed ether into perfect hells. 
17 



130 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

Each log, and rock, and tree a covert, 

To furies wlio no mercy knew ; 
Pouring destruction in a desert, 
' ^'* On a fear-struck, and trembling crew. 
Dreadful the contest to contend 

With death in ambush, and unseen • 
Arms, on which armies depend, '> ^v\ 

Are no protection in such sc^ne. ■ ' 

Havoc and slaughtei* strew tli^ ground, 

The thirsty earth drinlb British blood ; 
With savage yells, the wilds resound. 

While ghosts in scores asc- iid to Grod. 
Confusion and disorder rcijiied. 

Each moment fell some officer ; 
While Braddock's bravery maintained 

The ground that cost them m,any a tear. 
8:id to relate the orphan's sigh, " , 

The widow's lamentation liear ; 
'^rhe field of sorrow, where the cry 

For mercy met the savage ear. 
The tomahawk and scalpiiigknife, 

The hell-hounds of the wilderness ; 
'l^numphant took the wounded life, 

And vent their rage on the distressed. 
Brave Washington ralhcd his men, 

America ! thy sons in arms ; 
Stepped in between life and the slain. 

And ])oldly faced wars dread alarms. 
Cliecked the pursuers, and maintained, 

The order of skilful retreat ; 
Thy fame, America ! sustained, 

Till Dunbar's corps thpy chanceto meet, . 
Which huslicd but half their fancied fear, i ^/ 

Dismay sta,mped deep hej:cUvH,aptjer,j. 
On British valor trembling here,,^^vn v,,;,'] 

On war's tremendous blopdy car. bo'sjtj^riO 

. i 



POETICAL HISTORY. 131 

Disasters follow British arms; 

This year, records her list, on date; 
Braddock's defeat-— Indian alarms— 

Her tragic muses must relate. 
Niagara's expedition failed, 

Shirley's campaign disastrous proved, 
Delays are dangers oft entailedv-n/J 

On what 's forbid by heaven above. 
Horror's whole form the tyrant, wears, 

Justice forbids, resort to arms ;, , ,■'.■. . 
lafe must decide the fate of wars, 

And haunt its actors with alf^rms. 

The contemplated enterprise, 

Of Grown-Point Mled in it we see ; 
Blasted, anticipated prize. 

Of man for want of energy. 
Johnson gained honor from the crown, 

And why, best known to kings and dukes : 
His country's cause, and her renown, 

He aided battle with his troops. 
Brave Williams fell, we mourn his fate, 

Ambushed, the foe around him rose, 
A deadly fire arrestshis date :,iMr. tUiv; 

On life's vast roil of death's repose. 
Courage, the breast , of. FoIsqui arniiGcl,.j i . 

Against superior enemies ; ' i : ' ' ■ ^' ! i ■ 

The bayonet and bail alarmed, 

And drove them trembling 'midst the to^es. 
Death sports with life, where men are slaves, 

To foul ambitious demagogues ; , 
The cannon, musket, swords and lives,. 

Are sacrificed to please their gad^^, ,,,,,„ 
Nine hundred men, an, hecatomb, . v'-fr»iitr>{, 

Here slaughtered in a little time ;, 
Dioskau's defeat and armies doom. 



132 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MAR8. 

Williams' death and murdered line, 
Thus ends anticipated fame. 
The brightest prospects sickly fade ; 

The expectations, this campaign, 
Cast a deep glooin, and deeper shade. 

Campaigtiof 1756. 
Seventeen hundred fifty-six. 

Opens with Mars and eloquence ; 
Exertion's powerful plans are fixed, 

For storms and sieges and defence. 
Great-Britian sends a new recruit, 

Of officers to try their skill ; 
On war's theatre, and dispute 

With France and French, who most could kil 
War now in solemn form declared, 

The nations boil with angry mood; 
While all their engines are prepared, 

To assist the devil and his brood, 
f jord Louden as chief engineer, 

And General Webb to execute ; 
Curse to the nation, expensive dear, 

Hereditary fools to suit. 
The French with animation fired. 

All active in the scenes of war, 
Montcalm intrepid views inspired ; 

To build his fame on ruin's car. 
Oswego threatened by the French, 

Approaching it in war's array ; 
The British had intelligence, 

And ordered Webb without delay. 
To its relief But, no \ this sage. 

Must wait on Louden, just arrived, 
In ceremonious pomp engage, 

While poor Oswego realized. 



POETICAL HISTORY. 133 

Oswego Taken. 

Her threatened siege, calamity, , ., 

Surrendering to a cruel foe, 
Whose promise, word and infamy ; 

All tell a tale of tragic woe; 
Closely besieged, the second day, 

Oswego icll — her Captain slain. 
Capitulation ends the fray, 

But, savage horrors still remain. 
Montcalm, a Nero, from his birth. 

Devoid of honor, sense or shame. 
All his proffers sink to earth, 

Blasted by a liar's name, j 
Worse than Arnold, as a traitor. 

Stipulations disregard ; 
Terms agreed on with the prisoner. 

Violates in deed and werd. 
l*rotection from the savage foe, 

TJie prisoner claimed, Montcalm agreed ; 
But faith, in false deceiving show. 

Often makes the prisoner bleed. 
The sick and wounded he sees butchered, 

Scalped and tomahawked and slain. 
Regardless of their cries, he boasted, 

Exulting in a barbarous name. 
He to repay his cursed hell-hounds, 

For their smutty numbers killed ; 
Triumphant heard the deadly sound, 

That mournful echoed o'er the hills. 
Twenty victims he delivered. 

Whom he promised to protect ; 
To the savage all deshivorcd. 

Ghostly damned, in human shape. 
While these tragic scenes were acting, 

Our illustrious hero — Webb, 



134 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS 

Marched halfway, prepared for action; 

Hearing of the siege, he fled. 
Lord Louden, Britain's favorite guest. 

Hereditary recommends ; 
Titles of honor in the west, 

Fight no battles on our plains. 
The brilliant prospects of the spring. 

Were all frost-bitten, in the fall ; 
While lullaby, the syrens sing. 

To kings, and dukes, and subjects all. 
The want of energy is seen, 

And British jealousies awake; 
America sets as a queen. 

And views the strife beyond the lake. 
Her oflicers were unemployed, 

Through ministerial jealousy. 
They fear that skill and worth employed : 

Might learn the road to liberty. 
Although we saw t!ie tyrant's aim. 

Regardless of his sophistry , 
Our money squandered in alarm. 

To test our faith in royalty. 
When called upon, our sires agreed. 

To furnish for the next campaign, 
What was required by British creed. 

To take the field and try again. 

Cainpais'n of 1757. 
Seventeen hundred fifty-seven. 

Opens the season, Mars in front; 
The colonies to arms are (iriveh, ' 

And marshaled for a human hunt. 
The British Parliament arrrce. 

To strongly test th6 power of France, 
And try this year by land and sea, ' 

The strensfth of musket sword and lance. 



■POETICAL HISTORY. 135 

The minister had formed his plans, 

Marshaled his forces to decide, 
The claims of France to foreign lands, 

And sent her navies o'er the tide. 
Lord Louden with six thousand men, 

Sailed from New- York for Halifax, 
Met Holborn sailing o'er the main. 

To gain in concert and attacks. 
The meditated enterprise, 

Of this grand expedition planned ; 
These champions tluught to realize, 

Anticipation led the van. 
Their destined object — Louisburgh, 

To anxious gaze, almost in view, 
The cannon, musket and the sword, 

Ready to claim King George's due. 
When, lo ! intelligence arrived. 

That France, the danger saw displayed ; 
Stepped in between the royal prize. 

And British calculations made. 
Early, the French to reinforce, 

Sent a large corps, to Louisburgh, 
Which news confirmed was on the cosf ; 

And ready to salute the Lord. 
Lord Louden and the Admiral, 

Disheartened by this heavy news. 
Saw British expectations fail^ 

And tame the ministerird views. 
Thus British hopes and energy, 

Lay dormant Vi^hilc her oificers, 
Were idle in America, uini.j'j-l 

And only thought of knights and sirs. i ';f'' 

The French anticipation rose, 

Year after year their rights maintained ;oiji ov/'i 
Laughed at the folly of her Ibes, ,1 ■.-.:: 

While Britian paid for all she gained. 



oG AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

Montcalm, for cnterprize and skill, 
A General brave, courageous, bold, 

Planned an attack. Ambition still, 
Urged on her son, to fame untold. 

Attack on Fort WiUiam Henri/. 
Fort William Henry he assailed, 

13ut fortune frowned, defeat ensues. 
15ack to Crown Point, his army sailed, 

"While he consults his war-like muse. 
Ticondcroga, reinforced, 

This garrison, tlic British saw, 
A iiarl)or for the hidian corps, 

Whose dreadful warfare knew no law. 
l''rom William Henry's fortress strong, 

Col. Parker and four thousand men. 
Sailed o'er Lake Gecrgo with martial song, 

To reunite and form his plan; 
S'lnprize Ticonderoga, and check 

Montcalm's career and savage sway, 
IJut ambushed and furious attack, 

Decides the fortune of the day ; 
Dreadful the slauglitcr — mortals mourn, 

Above three hundred soldiers slain ; 
Disasters, wrathful and forlorn, 

Disgraceful to the christian naiuo. 

tSecond Attack on Fort WiUiani Henri/. 

Montcalm, elate with this success. 

Assembles near ten thousand men. 
Determined to renew the address 

He just received from Englishmen. 
Fort William Henry "gain assails, 

Two thousand and five hundred strong. 
Against ten thousand, bravery fails. 

Composed of Hell's infernal throng. 



POETICAL HISTORY. 

Tlie approaching danger, soon was known 

To Maj. Putnam's watchful eye ; 
His active courage and renown, 

Saw Montcahn's aim and destiny. 
All anxious to ailbrd relief, 

He quick to Gen. Webb made known 
The intelligence he had received, 

And danger of that ararrison. 
^njoining silence, war's brave sago 

Of courage and humanity, 
(I'almly reposing in his cage, 

Without life or energy. 
(3Id Webb, commanding British troops, 

Stained, stained the honor of his charge. 
Neglecting duty, and tlie hopes 

Ot suppliant soldiers on the verge 
Of ruin, slaughter, havock, death, 

Destruction's grasp, and liorrid sight. 
Engulfed in all the fangs of wrath — • 

Of war, French, Indians, all to fight. 
This agent of the confidence 

Of British trust, and soJdicr's lives, 
Lay at Fort Edwards, and from thence 

Might succor and send on supplies. 
The distance, only fourteen miles. 

Four thousand men at his command ; 
]''ew only traversed through the wilds. 

And bade his troops, themselves defend. 
He sends Monroe to take the charge. 

Ignorant of all intelligence ; 
Who, the next day saw boats and barge, 

Advancing, armed with sword and lance. 
The lake, a scene of sad surprize, 

Covered with hostile enemy ; 
Swiftly advancing to the prize, 

To test their claim ifor victory, 

18 



137 



13S" AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

Tlic sound of war soon meets the ear, 

The yells of savages resound, 
The thundering cannon rends tlie air, 

And nought is heard but dismal sound ; 
For nine long" days, contended sore, 

'Gainst four to one, Monroe contends, 
'Midst din of arms and cannon's roar, 

Asking relief from coward friends. 
This British hero. General Webb, 

Refused to aid, or succor send. 
Though daily urged, this hero's dread, 

Forgets his station, and his friend: 
The cannon's roar appalls his ear, 

Seems to arouse a martial flame. 
Had nearly banished half his fear, 

To raise liis courage and his fame. 
Sir William Johnson, he commanded 

To reinforce that garrison, 
But soon, the order countermands 

And calls the knight and army home. 
Forlorn, he wrote Monroe his mind, 

Indifferent to scenes of distress, 
Not to expect relief/ nor friend, 

But what he found in his success. 
Assistance, none could he afford, 

Advised him to capitulate. 
And on the honor and the word, 

To Oswego's traitor, trust his fate. 
All hope, relief, and succor gone. 

Surrender all alternate left, 
Hope, nearly no\v a syren song, 

FiXpected from a savage breast. 
Protection, solemnly agreed. 

The garrison, prisoners of war, 
A second tragedy we read 

Of Montcalm, savage as a bear. 



POETICAL HISTORY. 

Oswego's massacre renewed, 

This miscreant of earth and hell. 
Regardless of his word, pursued 

The deed, his own disgrace can tell. 
Humanity bleeding, laments 

To see its gilts all misimproved, 
Bra\'-ery and skill, malevolence. 

This mixed hotch-potch, destructive proved. 
The prisoners murdered, slaughtered, slain, 

Surrounded by the demon pace; 
Deaf to entreaties, and the pain, 

Montcalm sanctioned the disgrace. 
The furies of the savage foe, 

Turned loose, no langaage can describe 
The dread, the scene, the sight of woe, 

The awful horrors all defied. 
Reader ! relentless nature mourns, 

To view such scenes of misery ; 
The yells, the sounds, and piteous groans, 

Ascending to the Deity. 
Yet, Frenchman of this modern age. 

Calmly looked on this dreadful sight. 
And see the frantic savage rage, 

"Which decent devils would affright. 
Can we imagine what the mind 

Of Major Putnam and his men 
Must realize, when sent to find 

TJie mangled, roasted, dead cind slain. 
The allies scarce had left, the shore. 

Covered with fragments of their feast, 
The savages of France, devour 

Men, ravenous as the h;ungry beast. 
The wonton savage, tames his. thirst. 

With blood and mangled carcasses ; 
And Montcalm's character accursed, 

Detested stands :wh lie life ishal I live. 



I^* 



liO AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS, 

l?rave General Webb, now wide awake, 

The loe's retreat, left him secure ; 
His courage roused, calls on each stale, 

WJien dangers left the bloody shore, 
For reinforcement, as life's guard, 

This modern hero to protect 
Jn his markee, his fame reward, 

l<\)r liis grand feats in the attack. 
Britain, alarmed, the bloody flag 

Waved o'er her territorial claim, 
Disasters, following disasters had, 

For full three years, the lion tamed. 
The king, who long had been the dupe 

Of evil councellors and knaves, 
{Saw confidence betrayed, and hope 

ihit short in view, with loss of lives, 
lie changed his ministerial train. 

As men unworthy of his trust; 
And William Pitt, whose worthy name, 

Commissioned premier, rank tjie first. 

Campaign of 17o8. 
Seventeen hundred and fifty-eight. 

Commenced with Mars in armor clad: 
Hostile to nature, while the fate 

Oi nations raging, warriors dead. 
liOrd Pitt awoke, his genius rose 

From a low station, to the king, 
His talents scorned his royal toes. 

And confidence secured the ring. 
Vigor and lite, renewed, revived. 

The king and nation saw the man 
^Vhose eloquence controlled, advised, 

And formed, and organized their plan. 
The next campaign with energy 

Opens — with enterprizing schemes. 
War, thundering, rolled o'er land and sea, 



POETICAL HISTORY. 141 

While France and England view the scenes. 
Death, toil, fotiglie, must gain the day. 
And shivering horrors triumph gain ; 
And loss of thousands ransom pay, 

And fields of carnage bear the pain. 
Three expeditions led the van — 

Gigantic views, where martial sway 
Seek triumph by destroying man, 

And virtue 's lost in beasts of prey. 
Thirty-six thousand minions, armed, 

Great-Britain's projects now advance, 
F'rance to oppose in war's alarms. 

The tempests gathering round her land. 
Louisburgh threatened, and Du Quesne, 

Crown-Point, Ticonderoga too, 
Anticipated glory's see 

In vision, by the murderous crew, 
Lord Loudon's date on fame is closed. 

Recalled, his name erased, shall stand 
Far better fitted for repose. 

Than war's dread marshals to command. 
General Amherst mounts the stage 

Of war's theatre to contend, 
The prize with France, and stern engage, 

In hostile fury missiles send. 
War, christians' war, let hell abashed. 

Spurn it, beneath her dignity ; 
Where friend with friend, in armor clash. 
While pride and power bids them obey. 
Strange to relate, can sLrangers meet 

In savage warfare ? where no wrong 
Was ever done to engender hate. 

To murder each, the weak or strong. 
Louisburgh he first assailed ; 

Brave General Wolfe, he led the van, 
Amherst's approaches, soon, soon entailed 



142 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

Disasteis, surrender, Stores an(J men. 
FrMiicc saw her struggle to, contend, , (i 

With England, Pilt, and soldiery, i^ 

Her former triunipii at an end, , i ,^ 

In Lonisburgh's sad destiay;. 
General "VVolfc, young, generous, brave, 

Fired with ambition's confidence j 
Which te his mind immortal, gavq, 

An impulse, royal precedence. , ^ , 

The enterprize jigainst Crown-Point, 

To Abercrombie was assigned. 
Ticonderoga, the main complaint 

Of Indian haunts and French combined. 
Lord Howe, young, able, noble, bold, 

Accomplished, to perform his task, 
Under 'Crombie to unfold, 

The tragedy that future masked. 
With seventeen thousand soldiers brave, 

Courageous veterans, famed in war, 
Fronting all danger to the grave. 

The musket, sword, and cannon's roar. 

Attack on Ticonderoffa. 

Arriving near Ticonderoga, 

Mars, meets GUI' heroes on the plain. 
Skirmish ensued, the passing road 

Sorely, beset. Lord Howe is slain. 
The British saAV, their ieader fall ; 

With Spartan bravery qhargcd the foe, 
Havoc, slaughter, powder and ball, 

Cover the field with sickening woe. 
Three hundred victims, slaughtered lay, 

Bleedinij: and gasping, on the ground ; 
The blood of Howe avenged— the day 

Records the ,battl§'^ ^wful sound. , 
Thus reader! ,woi;th and portal life .'jafOilmli. 



POETICAL HISTORY. lA'H 

Must bow, in battle's dreadful field ; 
Lord Howe, the brave, immortal strife, 

Lost all his earthly—dead and sealed. 
We mourn his fate, his virtues dear ; 

'Tis all that iiaemory, now can give ; 
A sigh, a tributary tear, 

While his immortal only lives. 
This battle cost the British pain. 

In the result the sequel tells. 
Ardor led on this Spartan train. 

To storm the power of eartfi and hell. 
Received with compliments of wrath, 

The thundering cannon' thinned the ranks ; 
Four hours, the obstinates of earth, 

Exposed their van, their rear, and flanks. 
To mount the ramparts. Mars appears, 

The sons of Britain to command ; 
To scale the walls, a huzza cheers. 

And death the tribute, pay demands. 
Destructive fires, blaze o'er their heads, 

The bastions all on 3 sheet of flame; 
The ball and sword lay thousands dead, 

Blood and carnage strewed the plain. 
Retreat, at last, the trumpets sound. 

And general orders are obeyed ; 
The army leaves the bloody ground, 

Covered with dying and the dead. 
Nature, lamenting, saw the sight. 

Depicted in this tragedy ; 
While England rues the horrid fight, 

And Frenchmen learned their destiny. 

Fort Frontinac, or Kingston, Taken. 
After this bloody, sore defeat, ' * 

The General, to repair his loss, 
Detached in arms, Colonel Bradstreetj i U W 



141 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

'Gainst fort Frontinac, with a corps. 
Three thousand men, marshiiled in arms, 

March Cor this fortress, and arrive; 
Dismay and terror, with alarms, 

Spread through the garrison surprize. 
Capitulation, soon the fate 

Oi lliis supply and magazine, 
Of Indian stores — Ontario's gate, 

Of western waters to the main. 
To France, the loss was felt severe. 

Her stores and Indian supplies gone, 
Their ally saw the danger near. 

Relaxed ex(?rtion and the song 
Of conquest drcadhil, meets the ear. 

French hopes hemmed in. The tide of war, 
Seemed ebhiiig in America; 

Mars, riding on his bloody car, 
Fraught withtlie Frenchman's destiny. 

Du Quesnc, this loss soon felt. 
Cut short of her supplies, she monrns; 

Approaching danger round her knelt, 
While distant sound the bugle horns. 

This expedition General Forbs, 
Had assigned honors to command. 

Leaves Philadelphia with the charge, 
To sieze and tajce the chartered land. 

Fort Du Qiiesne Taken. 

FortDii Quesne their destiny, 
Through wilderness and morass deep ; 

Dangers surrounding day by day, 
Tiie hills and vallies seem to weep. 

At Raystown, Major Grant's advance. 
Was sudden met, and overthrown ; 

A party from this fort of France, 
With slaughter strewed the bloody ground. 



POETIC AJL HISTORY, WUk 



This tragic scene served to arouse, 

This British General to ckwle ; 
With cautious steps his route pursue, 

Wiiile through the wilds his way pursued. 
The French his presence reconnoitor. 

View his approach, and dread a siege ; 
The tort dismantle, and retreat. 

Rather than risk their Frencli intrigue. 
Down the Ohio in the boats, 

To Mississipjn sctllemcnts; 
f^afcty in flight, the current floats, 

From war to Iricnds, joy and content. 
The conquest gained, the General saw 

The expedition realized; 
Possession taken — the conquerors law — 

While Britain's standard o'er it flies, 
in honor to Lord Chatham's name. 

He Pittsburgh called the new conquest; 
Sanctions the charter with his claim 

To royal favor, in his breast. 
The wisdom of Lord Pitt extolled, 

A counccllor and sage by birth ; 
This year his worthy Hime 's eniolled 

'Mongst the illustrious of the earth. 
The campaign of this year's renown, 

With honor to the British name, 
Highly important to the crown, 

And Pitt's immortal, lasting fame. 
Anticipation of the last. 

Nearly achieved and realized ; 
The next is realizing fast. 

And Pitt must manage for the pri»e. 
His genius bold, and popularly strong;, 

His whole demeanor energy ; 
The ministerial plans belong 

To cabinet and ministry. 

19 



♦^'4ti AWf AATEUICAN FIEiD OF MAUS- 

Tho choice of niei* to execute 

His views, dosisins.iiiul briiia;' to bear 
His ohjectvS, j)laiis, ami li)es confute, 

Demands this sii^o's pnidcntcarc. 
I'iiiwlar.d, liTOWii hold by past succos, 

Anangcd lk.'r schemes iijr nc.\t eainpaigiv 
The French to van((uish' ill tlio west, 

And fully realize her claim. 
Ambition reared her horrid crest,- 

America miist realize 
"^rho conqueror's views o'er the oppressed, 

Tliat nought but death could harmonize, 
'i'hree armies for tlio-next cairipaign. 

Tiic British Parliament decreed ; 
War, still raginif, led the Hame 

That caused humanity to bleed. 

Campaign of 1758. 

The three strong posts nnist be subdued, 

That Franc(>. claimed in America ; 
Tuo small this con'tinent is viewed, 

For rival moi\arch*s tf • agree, 
Uiiebec, Niaj^ara, are proscribed, 

On records, sealed by future blood; 
*l'iconderoga's marshaled i)rido 

Mtist bow to IJritaiu's jwwerful rod ; 
Niau^ara's f-ite Prideaux. decides, 

W ho fell a sacrifice to fame, 
Killed by a shell that Mars provides, 

To blast his bloody, hateful name. 
Sir William .|ohnson, on whom devolved 

The chiot cojmuand, to front the foe, 
Dispute the priz-; tliat war involved^ 

fn siege and iM.A overthrow. 
Death soon decides N iugaru's full | . . , 

The fort surrenders ; masters change ; 



1 k 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 



The British mu.slret, sword and ball, 
Paid France her balance i)i excfianrxo. 



^f 



■>,'■•» 



Ticondcroga Taken. 



'ricondero:Ta next in suit, . ., ,, .... 

To test the strengtti of the campaign 
With Gen. Amherst, and compute 

Its triumph, on the loss and gain. 
Its last year's bravery had failed, 

No hero to dispute the prize ; 
Its ramparts soon must bo assailed. 

And siegs must end witli test of lives. 
While pondering on the frowns of war, 

A council called, decides its fate ; 

Mars, thundering, made its center jar, 

■■ .''ill'' 

And opens^wide its iron gate. 
The garrison for safety f!ed, 

Abandoned 1)y the s/iyage foe.: 
Amherst tlie British army led, 

To conquest o'ained without a blow. 
Crown -Point next. Amherst assails, 

To advance the lionor ol his King: 
In arms appeared l)cfore its .waUsj 

And clash of arms the tidings brinrf. 
The garrison saw nought but siege. 

With little prospect of success ; 
Gave up llic fortress as a pledge, 

Of safety, lo their. British gi,iest; 
lietreat to Isle Aux Noix, and there 

To test the frowns or riglits of war, 
Amherst in vain tried all his skill 

To badllc Rtornis, and waves and lake; 
To arrest the Isle, and Freshmen kill ; 

While folly lauglis at the mistake. 



-im4 
Ilk 



1'48 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

Secure, amidst the billows stands 

IsleAuxNoix; defiance bids 
To Amlierst and his liostilc bands, 

And all the powers of warlike heads. 



The Expedition against Qtichee. 

The third grand expedition planned, 

Is unto Gen. Wolfe assigned ; 
Against Q,nebec he takes command, 

To try his skill and powers of mmd-— 
A second Gibraltar, known 

For strength of nature and of art: 
Renowned on fame, its strength alone 

Makes couras:e sicken at the heart. 
This iortress, second in renown 

Of earth's strong towers, on modern fame, 
Had baffled conquest, and it sound 

On echo swells its power and name. 
Cape Diamond's lofty heiofht commands, 

At distant view, the warrior's dread ; 
Signal of slaughter, daring stands, 

And shows where Wolfe and Montcalm bled: 
Iiined with the horribles of war. 

Bull-dogs, whose throats are gorged with fiamfc. 
Lie, rusting, on its lofty tower — 

Their bowels death, and breath the same. 
Its lofty site commands a view 

Of Abram's plains, where martial strife 
Soon nmst decide the fate 's due 

To nation's claim, demanding lile. 
Two Generals here, antagonists, 

Each eager for renown in arms ; 
Ambitious to achieve conquest. 

And front the dread of war's alarms. 



POETICAL HISTORY. 

Montealm, a veteran bold and brave, 

Wliose hardened heart was steel or brass ; 
Who knew no mercy, feared no grave ; 

Quebec's protection now his task. 
While Wolfe, in pensive thought sedate, 

Views from Orleans the enterprize ; 
With silent melancholy waits, 

The issue to be realized. 
His anxious mind, with gloomy fear, 

Weighed the full weight in even scale ; 
Hope only serves his mind to cheer. 

And yet despondence oft prevails. 
Hope and fear the alternatives ; 

Placed in full view the object lay ; 
The price is life, and wounds that give 

Possession of defeat, the day. 
Here noble genius see employed. 

Its powers the living to destroy ; 
The gifts of nature all alloyed 

With proud ambition's selfish toy. 
Lord Pitt, whose energetic mind 

Soars lofty, where the dun^'-er rose, 
Conceived the enterprize, designed 

As bold and daring, 'gainst his foes ; 
Selected Wolfe, and for his aids 

Gave Generals Mourton and Townsend, 
With Murray. Thus the plan was laid. 

All young, well disciplined a;id trained, 
The army near eight thousand strong, 

From Halifax, in June set sail ; 
CJhanting the warrior's syren song, 

They spread their canvass to the gale ; 
The gulf of St. Lawrence bore the fleet, 

Admiral Saunders had command. 
Advancing armed, the French to meet, 

And conquest gained by sea and land ; 



m 



Witli martial nomn. a 'j^i-'rlhJ tllkflLV;). ""^^^^^ *" ' 



I'itli martial pomp, a '^^Bhd ilispli^y'/ 
IJolbre ClufeSecWviMrfifty sfiif; ^ 



M.*7 



The navy iioating in the ba^/, ' 

And future asres rcJid ihc' talc. ^ ' 

Montcalm entrenched on the north shore, ' ' 

Ciuebec in front, |)rekchts"a View ; ' 

Defiance almost writes her power, '^ 

And proudly scorns the British crew ; 
The adamantine towering rnelv, • *■' 

Presents its Iront to hafiled skill , ''' 

While walls and bastions,' scornful mock 

The rash assailant's stubborn will. 
This bulwark of destruction armed, 

Wolfe must subdue' to gain the prize ; 
Anticipation spread alarms', 

Before our hero's \vatc!ifui'eyes. 
The die is cast, strength muse be tried, 

And stratagems decide tile day, 
Wolfe's army iioating on the tide. 

While Montcalm's, at the Beauportlay. 
Defeated on the nor thcrii shore, 

Wolfe formed a bold and daring plan, 
And landed at a n:iidnight hour, 

Tlie army under his command. 
One mile above the town, this sage. 

With courage bold, the heights ascends, 
His troops all obstacles engage, 

Surmount the Athole, and join their frie: 
In open view, on Abram's plain, 

Wolfe's army marslialcd m array ; 
Ready for battle, to maintain, 

Its ranks present at break of day. 
Soon as Aurora skirts the east, 

With dappled grey, and crimsoned hue, 
Sol's chariot, rolling to tb.e west, 

Enlightens nature's future view. 



.t>I>eOETlCAI. HISTORY. > liH-.f 

■ fyo ! in tlio wfest, on Abram's plain, 

From Diamond's towers, the foe is seen. 
The glimmering- steel giistL;nina;dis*iain; 

While proud defiance stalks between, 
■'i'he brazen front of war's attire, 

Bold Mars in nnnor, sounds alarm ; 
Death ! ready with a torch of fire, 

To mount the terrors of the storm. 
Montcalm full weighed the loss or gain, 

Prepared to fight the valliant foe. 
And risk a battle on the plain, 

For victory'', or overthrow. 
He crossed St. Cliarles and gained the height. 

Where in full view, his enemy, 
Ready prepared, to test their right. 

Arranged in batt'e's dread array, 
r.ike tv/o huge clouds, whoso lowering fronts 

Rolling in angry surges bear, 
Destruction on its fury mounts. 

To guide the 'chariot of despair. 
.Suddenly and sv/iftly to the charge. 

Bach champion rushed through sheets of fire, 
Triumphant death, rides with the surge, 

That cleaves the smokey, sulphurous air. 

*• In fifteen minutes there v/as slain, 

■*' Fifteen hundred on the ph^in, 

*'• The dead men fell like drops of rain, 

^< The battle was quickly won. 

" Soon «s' Wolfe's breast felt the ball, 

** He found that he must surely fall; 

*• He spoke to his army, one and all, 

• '-'Our cause is surely ri'jht. 

• I 

•' And v/hilst his reason did remain, 

'• The blood fast gushing from his veins, 

" He raised his voice, in a lofty strain, 

>' Saying, the battle, ye Gods ! pray fighf. 



i;»e • AX AMERICAN FIELD OF IHARS. 

« Twas for Christ's Church, king George's erovni, 
•• He hazarded his life, and laid it down, 
^ As soon as he had taken the town, 

" He said, he was willing to die. 
^ Brave Wolfe is dead, his flesh must rot, 
-' Ilis memory ne'er shall be forgot, 
^ Remember the blood spilt on the spot, 

•' From whence his soul mast fly, 
•' Montcalm is dead, his flesh must rot, 
" His admiral in tlie march was shot; 
''■Tliesc rogues, how soon they'll be forgo<, 

•' Wo scarce have them in mmd, 
'• Montcalm did oft-times boast and say, 
•'"i3oston, in ashes, ho would lay ; 
'• These rogues, how soon they are cast away, 
" \nd leave llieir dust behind." 
The battle gained, its purchase, blood. 

The triumph cost the British dear, 
Rravc Wolfe was slain, and home to God 

His souls returned, its doom to hear. 
With thousands more, who from the field 
or slaughter, carnage, death and woe,. 
Laid down their lives, with bosom steeled 

To conquer and subdue their foe.. 
Montcalm is slain ; his hardened heart 

Is forced to yield before the ball •,, 
His tiger nature felt the dart, 

And he before Quebec must fall. 
His conscience, seared villi crmie and guilt. 

Stained deep with bloody massacre ; 
Bofore his eyes the blood he 's spilt,, 

•Standi registered with Deity — , 

4 horrid scrawl oi black despair, 
ffliich his poor soul is doomed to bear. 



COMMENCEMENT OP THE 

REVOLUTIONARY SCENES, IN 1764. 



The British Parliament, flushed with the late brilliant success, 
although at a vast expense of blood and treasure ; having in- 
creased her national debt about $320,000,000, took early means 
to defray the annual charges of this debt, and her other expendi- 
tures. In this difficult task of their finances, the British gov- 
ernment thought to lay a part of the burden on her American 
colonies ; on whose account they argued the war had been 
carried on again^t the French. To bring about this measure, 
the ministry supposed the colonies to be dependent on England,, 
and entirely subservient to her agraiidizement and prosperity. 
Acting upon these principles, Parliament restricted her Ameri- 
can colonid trade, nearly all to lierseif : even, in many instances^ 
prohibited the erection of manufacturing establishments in 
America, to encourage her subjects at hom.e. These restrictions 
bore hard upon the colonies, while they increased her wealth, in 
Europe. These edicts soon roused the spirit of a proud, enter- 
prising and enlightened people, whose natural rights were well 
known, and as ably defended. Those rights they claimed a« 
British subjects, secured to them by different colonial charters. 
Early in this year Parliament passed a law imposing duties to be 
paid on certain articles of merchandize in the colonial ports. 
Mr. Granville, the prime mmister, proposed the infamous stamp 
duty ; but layed it over till another session. It was forscen that 
lliese oppressive measures must be backed by energetic means ; 
penalties, fines and inquisitional tyrrany in a court of admiral- 
ty where the judges were solely d«pendent on the kinsf, and his 
ill advisers, without the aid of a jury, and then decided by the 
20 



154 AN AMERICAN FIELD OV MA US. 

royal nod of a <duped kiiijr, Jind fiis infatuated cabinet. InteDr- 
geiice of these proceedings soon reached America, and gave 
universal alarm. This system of taxation, without their consent, 
the colonies saw, if not vigorousiy resisted, would naturally in- 
volve every article of commerce m its grasp, and if denied the 
right of ajAry* in^ohe case, why not in all ^ 

iMassachusotts, went spiritually into the matter — sent instruc- 
tion to their agents in England, denying the right of taxation 
without legislation, and directing him to remonstrate ngninstthc 
duties imposed) and the stamp act, contcmplatsd. They ac- 
(juaintedthe other colonies with their views on the subject; the- 
iastrnctions given their agent, and their avowel of a •on- 
tinuancc in the mode of opposition to the measures taken by the 
British. In the course of the year, several of the colonics, par- 
ticulai'ly New- York and Virginia, remonstrated in respectfully, 
but in decided terms. In the several states, the ri!:;ht of Great 
Britain to collect taxes in the colonies was explicitly denied, 
and the denial was supported by clear and powerful arguments. 
It was argued, that taxes were but grants, by the representative, 
of a portion of his own property, and of those wlio had author- 
ized him to act in their behalf. Could it be just? it was asked, 
that the representatives of Englishmen should "give and grant 
the property ot Americans, 3000 miles distant, over v/hom they 
had no control, and whose interest would impel them to make 
llie burden of the colonies heavy that their own rnifrhtbe light. 
Tlie colonies said they liad domestic concerns of their own. 
In the lale war their exertions had been greater in proportion to 
tlieir al)ilities than those of England, they had. also, contracted 
debts which they must pay." 

Uj)on men, who entertained an idea of colonial dependence, 
nnd parliamentary supremacy, the arguments liad little effect! 

The minister, still bent on mischief, urged on his stamp act. 
On its first reading it was warmly opposed by some, who termed 
it impolitic— by two, only, because it was a violation of rights. 
This bill was supported by Charles Townsend, a brilliant orator^ 
on the side of the minister. At the conclusion of an animated 



POETICAL HISTORY. '' 155 

Tiddl'esl^'Iife'HbmHiWtd: '^ And these x\nicrican children, planted 
bjr our care, nourished by our indulgence, protected by our arms, 
until they have ijrown to a <rood degree of opulence — will they 
grudge to contribute their mite to relieve us froin the heavy load 
of national expenses which wo he under?" 

Col. Barrc, immediately arising, indignantly and eloquently 
exclaimed, " Children planted by your care ? No! Your op- 
pression phintcd them in America. Tiiey fled from your 
tyranny into that uncultivated land, where they were exposed 
to all the hardships to which human nature is liable; and 
amongst others, to the cruelties of ii savage foe, the most subtle, 
and I v/ill take upon me to say, the most terrible, that ever in- 
Irabited any part of God's earth. And yet actuated by principles 
of true British liberty, they met all these hardships with pleas- 
ure, when they compared them with those they' suffered in their 
own countrj^, from men who should have been' their friends. 
They nourished by your indulgence? No! They grew by your 
neglect. When you began to care about them, that care was' 
exercised m sending persons to rule over them, who were the 
deputies of some deputy sent to prey upon them, spy out tticir 
liberties, and misrepresent their actions ; whose behaviour has 
in many instances made the blood ol these sons of liberty recoil 
within them ; men promoted to the highest seats of justice, some 
of whom were glad, by going to a foreign country, to escape 
being brought to a bar of justice in thcii own. They protected 
by your arms? No! They have nobly taken up arms in your 
cfefence; they have exerted their valor amidst their constant and 
laborious industry, for the defence of a country, while its iron- 
tiers were drenched in blood, which has yielded all its little sav- 
ings to your emolument. Believe me, and remember I this day 
told you so, the same spirit that actuated this people at firsf, still 
continues with them. I have been fifteen years a resident of 
America, and am well acquainted with their genius and enter- 
prising spirit. They have contributed, in the late war, to our 
aid, all that a magnanimous people could do, under similar cir- 
cumstances ; and now, ask them in a constitutional way, and 



l56 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

they will still contribute. But they arc too much like ourselves 
to be driven. God knows I do not at this time speak trom any 
party lieat. However superior to me in knowledge and experi- 
ence any one here may be, I claim to know more of America, 
having been conversant in that country. The people there, are 
as truly loyal as any subjects the King has ; but they are jeal- 
ous ot' their liberties, and will vindicate them should they be 
violated. But the subject is too delicate — I will say no more." 

Eloquence and argument availed nothing. The bill passed 
almost unanimously. 

The night after, Dr. Franklin, then in England as the agent 
of Pemisylvania, wrote to Charles Thompson, "The sun of 
liberty is set. You must light up the candle of industry and 
economy." " Be assured," said Mr. Thomson, in reply, " we 
shall light up torhes of quite another sort." Thus predicting 
ihe revolution that followed. 

., The die was cast. Americans saw that resistance or submis- 
sion must be the result. The act passed, provided that all con- 
tracts and legal processes should be written on stamped paper, 
which was ,to be furnished by government, at exorbitant prices, 
or should have no force in law. This intelligence spread hor- 
ror and dismay through the colonies. They saw their liberties! 
were attacked, and that they must fight or surrender. The lat- 
ter was beneath their dignity as freemen. The former almost 
too stupendous to enco'uitcr with one oi the most powerful na- 
iioas on earth. 

On the arrivi>J of the news in Virginia, the General Assembly 
was in in session. Of that body Patrick Henry, a young and 
able attorney, was a member ; who warmly espoused the cause 
of the people. He proposed five resolutions; in the first four of 
which were asserted the various rights and privileges claimed 
by the colonies, and in the fifth the right of Parliament was 
boldly and explicitly denied. These he defended by strong 
reasoning and irresistible eloquence ; find they were adopted by 
a majority of one. Tlie next day, in Mr. Henry's absence, the' 
iflh resolution was rescinded. But all liad gone to the worlds 



REiVoLUTIONARY SCENES'. ti^T 

and were privately circulated in the principal cities, and highly: 
■applauded. When these resolves reached New-England, they 
vere fearlessly published in the newspapers. 

About the same time, Massachusetts passed a resolution to 
procure a combined opposition to the offensive laws, and to call 
on the several colonies to send delegates to a general Congress, 
to be held in the city of New-York, to consult on future opera- 
tions. "^JMiese legislative proceedings took place in May and 
June, 17G5. In New-England, associations for the purpose of 
resisting the laws, were organized, assuming from Barre's speech, 
the appellation of "the sons of liberty; pamphlets were publish- 
ed, vindicating the rights of the colonies ; and the public 
journals were filled with essays pointing out the danger that 
threatened the cause of liberty, and encouraged a bold and man- 
ly resistance. Excited by these publications, a multitude as- 
sembled on the 14th of August, burnt the efllgy of Andrus Oliver, 
who had been appointed stamp distributer, and demolished a 
building which they suppose he had erected for an office. 
Fearful of further injury, Mr. Oliver declared his intention to 
resign, when the people desisted from molesting him. Several 
days after, a mob becet the house of Mr. Stores, an officer of the 
detested Admiralty Court, broke his windows destroyed his 
furniture, atid burnt his papers. They then proceeded to the 
house of Lieut. Governor Hutchinson, by whose advice, it was 
supposed that the stamp act was passed. They entered it by 
force. Himself; his wife, and children, fled. His elegant furni- 
ture was either carried off or destroyed ; the partitions of the 
house were broken down, and next morning, nothing remained 
but the bare walls. 

When intelligence of these proceedings reached Khodelsl- 
and, the people of that colony assembled; committed similar' 
outrages; two houses were pil lasted, and the stamp distributer^ 
to preserve his own, was obliged te give to the leader of the ex- 
asperated populace, a written resignation of his office. 

In Connecticut, similar convulsions were appeased by th« 
distributer resigning his office. In New- York, the people dift- 



Y^58 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MAKS. 

played an equal patriotism, but less turbulence and rage. The- 
obnoxious act was printed under the title of "The folly of Eng- 
land, and Ihe ruin of Ameiica ;" and thus exhibited for sale in 
the streets. At an early period the stamp distributer resigned 
his office ; and when the stamped paper arrived, it was deposited 
in the fort. A mob required the Lieutenant Governor to place 
it in their hands, but he refused. Terriiicd by their menaces, 
he consented to deliver it to their magistrates; who deposited 
it in the city hall. Ten boxes, v/hich afterwards arrived, were, 
•seized by the people, and commiUod to the flames. So gencryil 
Mfas the opposition lo t'le law, that the distributers in all the' 
colonies were compelled to resign. In Boston, care was taken 
oil the one hand, to prevent the recurrence of violent proceed- 
ings, cin6\, on the other, to keep in full vigor the spirit of resist- 
ance. A newspaper was established, having for its device, a 
, snake, divided hito as many parts as there v/ore colonies, and for 
its motto, "Join, or die." 

In October, the Oongj'css recommended by Massachusetts,^ 
rnet at New- York. Delegates from six of the provinces, w«re 
present. Their lirst act was a declaration of rights, in which 
(hey all asserted that the colonists, were . entitled to all the 
. rights and liberties of natural born subjects within the kingdom 
. of Great Britain., The most essential right is, the exclusive 
, privilege ol taxing ourselves, and also that of trial by jury. A 
petition to the king, and a memorial to both houses of Parlia- 
ment, v.'cre also agreed on : and the colonial assemblies were 
advised to appoint special agents to solicit in concert, a redress .ol 
grievances. In the meantime, i the British ministry was qlicyi- 
ged, and with it a change of measures were advised, and laid 
before Parliament. The obaoxioua stamp act, the new minis- 
try thought best, ito repeal. An interesting debate ensued. 
The late minister, Mr. Granville, declared, that to repeal that 
.act, as mattery jiiow stood, would degrade the government, apd 
cncourAgc rjebcllipn. AVhen, he demanded, when were the Amer- 
icans cdnancipated ? . By what law, by what reason do they^laim 
exemption from decaying expenses increased, in protectpg 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. I5D 

' them V That mighty orator, whose words wroi'ight conviction, 
and whose eloquence ranks with a Demosthenes or Cicero. 
VViUiani Pitt arose to reply. "lie regreted he had not been Jibltt 
to attend in his place, to tiie stamp bill in its pafjsing. It is now 
a law ; and has passed. I would speak with decciacy of every 
act of Parliament; but I must beg the indulgence of this house 
to speak of it v/ith freedom. A more important subject never 
engaged your attention ; that subject, only excepted, which 
nearly a century ago, it was, whether you yourselves were bond, 
or free ? 

Those v/ho have spolvien before me, with vehemence, would 
maintain the act, because your honor demands it. But can the 
point of honor stand opposed against justice ; against reason : 
against right ? It is my opinion, that Englannd has no right to 
tax the colonies. At the same time I assert, this kingdom has a 
sovereign and supreme authority over tlie colonies ; in every 
circumstance of government and legislation Vvdiatsoever. Tax- 
ation is no part of the governing or legislative power. The 
taxes are a voluntary gift, or grant, of the commons alone. When. 
. in this house, we give and grant, we dispose of what is cur own. 
But in an American tax, what do we do 'J Your majesty's 
commons of Great-Britain, give and grant to your majesty — 
what? our own property? No. We give and grant lo your 
Majest)^, the property of your Commons in America. It is an 
absurdity in terms. It has been asked, v/hen were the Aii^eri- 
crns emancipted? Bat I desire to know when they were i^nade 
slaves. I heaijitsaid, that America is obstinate; America is al- 
most m open rebellion. I rejoice that America has resisted. Three 
millions of people, so dead to all the feelings of liberty as volunta- 
rily lo submit to be slaves, would have been fit instruments to 
liave made slaves of us. The gentleman has said, lor he is liucnt 
. . ill words of bitterness, that America is ungrateful. He boasts of his 
► bounties towards her. But are not these boupties intended 
Jinally for the benefit of his kingdom? The profits of. Great- 
.:•. Britain from her commerce with the colonies, are two millions 
3«.a year. Tiiis is tlic fund tliat carried you triumphant through 



160 AN AMEfticAN f*lELD OF MARS. 

the last war. The estates that were rented at two iliousaild 
pounds a year, seventy years ago, are at three thousand pouncb« 
at present. Yon owe this to America. Tliis is the price shr- 
pays for your protection. A great deal has been said without 
doors, and more than is discreet, of the power, oi tlie strength, 
■of America. In a good cause, on a sound bottom, the force ol" 
this country can crush America to atoms. But on the ground 
of this tax, when it is wished to prosecute an evident injustice, 
I am one who will Hft up my hand and my voice against it. 
In such a case, success would be deplorable, and victory liax- 
ardous. America, if she falls, would fall like the strong man. 
She would embrace the pillars of the state, and pull down 
the constitution along with her." 

These sen! iments of Lord Chatham, and the manifest in- 
justice of the act prevailed. The stamp act was repealed, biU 
unother equally as unjust, originated on its repeal ; determined 
to drive Ancrica to the test of power. The Parliament passed « 
law, declaring that "the Legislature of England has authority U» 
make laws to bind the colonies in all cases whatsoever." 

The merchants in London, rejoiced at the fall of the folly 
of England in the stamp act, but dreaded her still mad preten- 
sions. 

The rejoicings in America was still greater, but of short con- 
tinuance. The cloud only burst to show its hidden terrors- 
They (the Americans.) obtained the object they contended for. 
They returned their thanks, in a respectful manner to Mr. Piu, 
end to others in England, who supported their cause. 

By the people of New-England and New- York, less joy w:u» 
felt. The law demanding duties on merchandize. Theodiou? 
Court of Admiralty, setting without juries, and their repeated 
contests with their Governors, alienated their former attach- 
ment to that nation, whose avowed principles showed hostility to 
freedom. The past was so deeply rooted, as not to prcsagu* 
a doubtful issue. 

The next year, lays open to viow the suspicions of the last, 
A law of Parliament, which remained unrepealed, directed thoC 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 



161 



when any troops should be marched into any of the colonics, 
quartcrSj rurn and other necessary articles, should be furnished 
for them at the expense of that colony. New-York refused 
I'ompliance, alledg-ing- it to be an indirect tax witliout tlicij- 
consent. To punish this, Parliament immediately suspended the 
authority of the Assembly. The features of tyranny were vis- 
ible, in tlie display of this despotic power, and the general excite- 
ment o-reat. 

In June 1767, a duty was laid on glass, tea, and other enu- 
merated articles, imported into America. Massachusetts remon- 
strated as usual, against tliis act, and sent circular letters to tlie 
other colonies, requert'ng the expediency of acting in con.cert in 
all endeavors to obtain redress. 

These proceedings alarmed t'lc ministry. Thoy feared, a 
joint coalition, and dctennined if possible to defeat the object. — 
They instructsd Sir John Barnard, the Gov. of Massachusetts, 
to require the general court to rescind the vote, and in case gi 
refusal to dissolve it. The Governor, obedient to the ministeri- 
nl mandate, made known liis instructions to the House of Rep- 
resentatives, which by a vote of 0.2 to 17, refused. On wliich 
tlie. Governor vetoed the whole, cleared the house and shut the 
doors. This attempt to intimidate, served to rouse the spirit of 
opposition, The non-importation agreement v/hicli had been a- 
hat^doned by the colonies was renewed and more extensively a- 
dopted. The citizens of Boston, called on the several towns in 
,the province to send delegates to that town. Nearly every tpwli 
in the province sent members to the convention. Its proceed- 
i;igs were unimportant. 

On so many occasions had the refractory spirit of tlie citizens 
of Boston been displayed, that Gen. Gage, commander in chiei 
of all the troops in the colonies, was ordered to place a regimeni 
in that town, as well to overawe the citizens as to protect the re- 
venue officers in the discharge of their duties. The scizure^of a 
sloop, belonging to Mr. Hancock, a popular leader, occasioned a 
riot, in whicli the officers were insulted and abused. The Gen- 
eral on receiving information of this event, sent two regiment'^ 
21 



162 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

instead of one; and on the first of October, they arrived in the 
harbor. The ships that brought them, taking a station that 
commanded the whole town, lay with their broad-sides towards 
il, ready to fire should resistance be attempted, the troops, witli 
loaded muskets and fixed bayonets, landed. The select-men 
having refused to provide quarters, they took possession of the 
state house. All the rooms, except one reserved for the council, 
were filled, and two pieces of cannon were placed near the prin- 
cipal entrance. This threatening display of military power, ex- 
asperated -the feelings of the people. Soldiers parading the 
streets, and guards mounted at the corners, chilling the passen- 
gers : martial music and the din of arms, all conspired to kin- 
dle a flame not easily quenched. The people well knew that the 
object of the ministry was to frighten them into submission ; but 
tliis dastardly sight, only animated them to courage, rather than 
fear. While Britain triumphed in shame, the hardy sons of 
America saw all her intrigues with disdain, and defied the ty- 
rant with all his chains and fetters, and laughed at his folly and 
mocked when his fear cometli. 

Parliament, determining to crush the growing discontent, or- 
dered the Grovernor to make strict enquiry and arrest all persons 
guilty of treason, and send them to England for trial. These 
resolutions plainly showed thai England regarded the Ameri- 
cans as their vassals, and entertained an idea that scare-crow 
pictures of tyranny would frighicn freemen to resign their rights 
and dignity as men, to infatuation and pride. The right of 
taxation being denied by the colonies— the right to arrest per- 
sons and send them beyond the seas for trial for supposed crimes, 
was a flagrant violation of rights belonging to British subjects, 
?is il deprived them of a trial by a jury of their countrymen, and 
of procuring witnesses in their behalf 

While these resolutions were under discussion in Virginia, the 
House of Assembly, apprehensive of its dissolution by the royal 
^cut, or Governor, closed the doors. T^e moment the doors 
Aveie opened, a message royal was announced, requesting the 
attendance of the members before him. " Mj". Speaker,"' said 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 



163 



the Governor, " and gentlemen burgesses, I have heard of your 
resolves, and argue ill of their effects. You have made it my 
duty to dissolve your body, and you are dismissed accordingly." 
This mandate of despotism, was treated with scorn. The mem- 
bers assembled at a private house, chose a moderator, and unan- 
imously formed a non-importation bill, which was followed by 
most of the southern provinces. 

The citizens of Boston, still groaned under the burden of an 
•oppressive soldiery. Quarrels daily occurring between them 
and the people, increased the animosity of each to the rankest 
hatred. On the evening of the 5th March, 1770, an affray took 
place in King-street (since called State-street) with a detachment 
of troops, commanded by Capt. Preston. The troops, after being 
insulted, and pelted with stones, and dared to fire, discharged 
their muskets upon the multitude, and killed four and wounded 
others. Tho drums immediately beat to arms, nnd several thou- 
sands ©f people assembled, who, enraged at the sight of their 
dead companions, slain in the cause of liberty, prepared to at- 
tack a large detchment that was sent to aid their comrades. 
In this state of excitement, they were addressed by Gov. Hutch- 
inson, who appeared in the midst of them, and prevailed on 
them to disperse till morning. 

The next day, Capt. Preston and his party were arrested and 
committed to prison. The citizens met, and demanded an im- 
mediate removal of the troops from the town. Samuel Adams, 
a true patriot in the cause, distinguished himself for his bold 
decision and courage. After some hesitations on the part of 
the commander they were sent to Castle William, and were ac- 
companied by several officers of the customs, who dreaded the 
hidignation of the people. 

Three days after, the funeral of the deceased took place. It 
was conducted with great pomp, and much ceremony, expres- 
sive of the public feeling. The shops were closed,the bells of 
Boston, Roxbury, and Charlestown were tolled: four processions 
moving from different parts of the town, met at the fatal spot 
and proceeded to the place of interment This united proces- 



164 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

sion comprised an immense number of people, on foot and lit 
carriages, all displaying the deepest sympathy and indignatioi/. 
The bodies were deposited in one vault. The passions oi tl e 
]x;ople having in some degree subsided, Capt. Preston and his 
soldiers vv^ere brought to trial. 

They were defended by John Adams and Josiah Q,uincy, t\\ o 
able Attornies and distinguished popular leaders of the people. 
For near six weeks the court was employed in examining wit- 
nesses, and in listening to the arguments advanced in council, 
Capt. Preston, not ordering his men to fire, was acquitted by -'i 
Jury. Of the soldiers, six were acquitted, there being no po si- 
tive proof that they fired upon the people, and two were acquitted 
of murder, as the greatest of insults was offered, but found guW- 
ty of man-slaughter. 

Here the first blood in freedom's cause, 

Stained, stained the earth, and bid arise ; 
Columbia's sons 'gainst British laws, 

And for their country risk their lives. 

The tyrant staiuich, pursues his plan, 

To trample charters under feet ; 
And all the rights of God and man. 

To crush by power and acts sedate, 

' "While these events were transacting in the colonies, the J3ri(- 
isli minister began to repent of his rash career, and proposed to 
repeal all the laws for raising a revenue in America. 

The Parliament, between fear and obstinacy, relinquished all 
the duties but those on tea, and this they unwisely retained to 
support then- supremacy over the colonies. This partial repiial 
produced no change in the sentiments of the people. The non- 
importation agreement, however, was made to correspond wit!i 
the altered law. Tea only, was to be excluded from the coun- 
try ; and this article ot luxury, was banished from the tabic oi 
all who were friendly to American rights. 

The years 1771 and 1772, were unimportant in events. Still 
a jealous spirit ir^Miifested by the government, and agents ot 

V.jitmJ ljt>rniii ttn'i I J.i '111 i ,'»ra i'^.'j.m i" 



UEVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 165 

Great-Britain kept alive the Jiscontent of tiie colonies, and 
} roduced many remonstrances. In 1773, Doct. Franklin, ob- 
t;iined in London a number of original letters from Gov. Hutch- 
inson, Lieut. Gov. Oliver and others, to their correspondents in 
! Parliament. In these letters, the opposition in Massachusetts 
was stated to be confined to a few factious individuals, who were 
emboldened by the weakness of the means used to restrain them. 
Measures more enero'etic were recommended, and the ministers 
\ rere urged to take n-om the people, and exercise themselves, the 
] ower of appointing eounceilors and all colonial magistrates. 
These lettters, Doct. Franklin transmitted to Boston. This 
( isclosed the v.'hole proceedings of Parliament. The passions 
of the people were highly enflamed, and the weight of popular 
1 ndignation fell upon the authors of these letters. 

Meanwhile, the tea of the East India Company, not finding 
market, in ximerica, continued to increase in their ware-houses 
in England. Encouraged by government, they resolved to 
export it on their own account, and appointed consignees in va- 
rious sea-ports in the colonies. Those in Philadelphia were 
induced, by the disapprobation expressed by the citizens to decline 
their appointments. In New- York, spirited hand-bills were 
irculated, m.enacing with ruin every person v/ho should be 
concerned in vending tea, and requiring pilots not to conduct 
any ship 'loaded with that article into the harbor. 

Intimidated by these proceedings, the captains of the tea ships, 
])oundto those ports, returned with their cargoes to England: 

In Boston, iaiflammatory hand-bills were circulated, and 
meetings held ; but the consignees, being mostly relatives of the 
Governor, and relying on his support, accepted the appointment. 
Their acceptance enrag-ed the citizens, and the community be- 
came agitated by highly excited passions. The people of the 
country exhorted their brethren in Boston to act worthy of their 
former character: worthy of "Sons of Liberty" — upon whose 
conduct, in the present emergency, every thing depended. 

On the 29th of November, a ship, loaded with tea, came into 
the harbor. Notifications were immediately posted up, inviting 



166 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

' ''I 

.every fiiciid of his country to meet forthwith, and concert uni- 
ted resistance to the arbitrary measures of Great-Britain. A 
meeting was immediately held, and resolutions adopted, that the 
tea should not be landed ; that no duties should be paid, and 
that it should be sent back in the same vessel. A watch was 
placed to prevent its being secretly brought on shore. A short 
time was then allowed for the captain to return home with his 
cargo. Gov. Hutchinson refused to grant him the requisite 
permission to pass the castle. Other vessels, laden with tea, 
arrived. The agitation increased, and ou the ISth of Decem- 
ber the inhabitants of Boston and the adjoining towns, assembled 
to determine Avhat course to pursue. At this important meet- 
ing, John Q,uincy, desirous that the consequences of the mea- 
sures to be adopted should be seriously contemplated, thus ad- 
dressed the assembly : — " It is not, Mr. Moderator, the spirit 
that vapors in these walls, that will sustain us in the hour of 
need. The proceedings of this day will call forth events, which 
will make a very different spirit necessary for our salvation. 
Whoever supposes that shouts and huzzas will terminate our 
trials, entertains a childish fancy. VYe must be grossly ignorant 
of the value of the prize for which we contend ; we must be 
eipally ignorant of the power of those who have combined 
against us ; we must be blind to the inveterate malice and insa- 
tiate revenge that actuates our enemies abroad, and in our own 
bosom, to hope that we sliall end this controversy without the 
sharpest conflicts — or, to flatter ourselves that popular resolves, 
popular harrangues, and popular acclamations, will vanquish 
our foes. Let us consider the issue ; let us look to the end ; 
let us weigh and deliberate, before wo advance to those mea- 
sures which will bring on the most trying and terrible struggle 
this country ever saw.'' 

In the evening, the question was put — " Do you abide by your 
former resolution, to prevent the landing of the tea?" The vote 
.was unanimous in the affirmative. Application was again made 
to the Governor. After a short delay, his refusal was commu- 
nicated to tlie Assembly. Instantly, a person disguised as an 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 1G7 

Indian, ^ave the war-whoop from the gallery. At this period 
the people rushed out of the house, and hastened to the wharves. 
About twenty persons, dressed in the Mohawk costume, boarded 
the vessel, and, protected by the crowd on shore, broke open 
three hundred and forty-two chests of tea, and emptied their 
contents into the sea. Their purpose being accomplished, the 
multitude returned, without tumult, to their habitations. 

Old Neptune's supper cost the nation 
Three hundred chests, besides his ration ; 
The cup was strong ; the dregs he salted, 
To pay the duty, when 'twas wanted. 

Parliament, on receiving this intelligence, expressed its keen 
■displeasure, and immediately passed an act, closing the port ol 
Boston, and removing the custom-house to Salem, which was to 
be continued in force till compensation should be made for the 
;tea destroyed, and payment made for old Neptune's supper, 
Another act was passed, taking from the General Court, and 
rgiving to the Crown the appointment of counsellors, and Gen. 
Gage was made Governor in the place of Mr. Hutchinson 
dismissed. 

Intelligence of the Boston Port bill, occasioned a meeting of 
the citizens of that town. They were sensible that the most 
trying and terrible struggle was indeed now approaching ; but 
felt unawed by its terrors, They sought not to shelter them- 
selves from the storm, by submission. TJiey declared the act to 
be unjust and inhuman, and hivited their brethren in the other 
colonies to unite with them in a general non-importation system. 
A similar spirit prevailed, and animated the whole country. 
Addresses from the adjacent towns, and from every part of the 
continent, were sent to the citizens of Boston, applauding tlieir 
resolutions, exhorting them to perseverance, and assuring them 
that they were considered as\sutfering in the common cause. 

In Virginia, the first day of June, when the law began to 
opperate, was observed as a public and a solemn fast. With 
devout feelings, the divine interposition was implored, in all tho 



T>'*1 



in^ AK AMERICAN FIELD OP MARS. 

cluirchc?;, to avert the horrors of a civil war, and to give the peo- 
jilc one heart and one mind, firmly to oppose every invasion of 
their liberty. The same day was observed with similar solemni- 
ty, in most of the other colonies. And thns an opportunity was 
presented to the ministers of the gospel, to dispense political in- 
struction; to paint in vivid coloi's the sufferings of the citizetis of 
Boston, and to warn their coni^regations, that should Great- 
Britain succeed in her scheme, the danger to their religion would 
■be as great as to their civil privileges. . That a tame submission 
to the will of Parliament, would inevitably be followed by bish- 
ops, tytlies, tests, acts and ecclesiastical tribunes. 

The sufferinos of the inhabitants of Boston were indeed sc- 
rsearly nil were compelled to be idle. Many'by 'losJi of 
employment, lost their only means of support. In this extretii- 
\\)y, contributions in money, and provisions were sent them 
from all her sister colonies. As a proof ©f sympathy ill their 
distresses, and of approbation of their having met and manftilly 
withstood the first shock of an arbitrary power. ( 

Gradually and constantly, for a number ofyears, had the mihds 
cvnd fceliilgs of Americans been prepal-ing for this event. ' The 
threatening storm had awoke the patriotism of every trite Amer- 
ican to all the considerations of interest, danger aiid friendship. 
The inhabitants of Salem, spurjied advantages to be'deriVt'd 
from a punishment to be inflicted on a sister town, for itsz^al'in 
a sacred and general cause. We must, (said they, in aremori- 
strancc to their Governor,) be dead to every idea of justice, lost 
to every feeling of humanity, could we indulge one thoaghtto 
scizc'on wealth, and raise our fortunes on the ruin 6f our sui- 
fcring neighbors. '"■ ''^''' '''■"•'"'■ ""'is^' f'!'','"^ ^ 

In June, the (General Court assembled at Salem, and airtong 
the first acts were the recommendation ofa Continental Cnngre:ss. 
which had been suggested by the committee of Correspondent^ 
in Virginia, and the choice of delegates to attend it. While 
cnffao-ed, with closed doors, in diis business. Gen. Ga^e. who hatl 
received private intimation of their purposes, disj;olve(f«llie Cour;. 
liy a proclamation, which was read upon the stops. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 169 

In all the other colonies, delegates were also chosen. On the 
5th of Sept. these dole^^atcs assembled at Philadelpliia. Peyton 
Randolph, of Virginia, was unanimously elected President, 
and Charles Thomson, Secretary. It was determined that each 
colony should have but one vote, whatever be the number of 
its deputies, and that all transactions except such as they might 
resolve to publish, should be kept an inviolate secret. 

Resolves were then adopted, expressing the sympathy of Con- 
gress in the sufferings of their countrymen in IVlassachusetts^ 
and highly approving the wisdom and fortitude of their conduct. 
They also resolved that the importation of goods from Great- 
Britain should' cease, on the lirst day of tlie ensuing December, 
and all the exports to that country on the 10th of September, 
1775, unless American grievances should te sooner redressed. 

In other resolutions, they enumerated certain rights, which, 
as men, and as British subjects, "they claimed, demanded, and 
insisted on ;" and recounted numerous violations of those rights 
by Parliament. Addresses, to the people of Great-Britain, to 
the inhabitants of Canada, and to their constituents, were pre- 
pared and published ; and an affectionate petition to the King 
was agreed on. In these memorials were stated the claims, the 
Icelings, and the princi])les of their constituents, in a clear and 
'loquent manner. They glow with a love of liberty ; they dis- 
Ij'Ia'y a deterrtiination too firm to be shaken by the threats of 
tyrants. They contain the strongest professions of attachment 
to the mother country, and of loyalty to the King. A desire ol 
independence is expressly disavowed. "Place us," says the 
Congress, "in the condition we were in at the close of the last 
war, and our former harmony will be restored. "We ask," say 
the3', in their petition, "but for peace, liberty, and safety. We 
wish not a diminution of the prerogative, nor do we solicit the 
'.crant of any new right in our favor. Your royal authority 
over us, and our connection with Great- Britain, we shall always 
carefully and zealously endeavor to support and maintain." 

Thgse papers going forth to the world, made the cause of tlte 
colonies known throiisrhout Europe, and made a deep impres- 
2^ 



170 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

sion on the feelings of those who were friendly to liberal princi- 
ples. All felt displeased at the haughty arrogance of Britain, 
Their tone of inanly energy, and the knowledge they displayed 
of political science, excited universal applause and admiration. 
,,^ ^'When your lordships,'' said Mr. Pitt, in the British Senate, 
"shall have perused the papers transmitted tons from America; 
when you consider the dignity, the firmness, and the wisdom, 
with which the Americans have acted, you cannot but respect 
tlieir cause. History, my lords, has been my favorite study, 
and in the celebrated writings of antiquity, I have often admir- 
ed the patriotism of Greece and Rome. But. my lords, I must 
declare and avow, that in the master states of the world, I know 
not the people or the Senate, who, in such a complication of 
difficult circumstances, can stand in preference to the delegates 
of America, assembled at Philadelphia. I trust it is obvious to 
your lordships, that all attempts to impose servitude on such 
men ; to establish despotism over such a mighty continental 
nation, must be vain — must be lutile." 

In America, the proceedings of Congress were read with the 
deepest interest. Their reasonings confirmed the absolute ne- 
cessity of energetic measures. The perfect justice of the cause 
was plainly visible to a people determined to be free. They 
were admonished to extend their views to mournful events ; 
marching of armies, fields of battle stained with blood of dear 
relations, the news of defeat, victory, death of a husband, father, 
brother, and sons, and to be prepared in all respects for every 
ejnergcncy. Great efibrts were made to provide arms, ammuni- 
tion, and all the necessary articles of war. Independent com- 
panies were formed, the militia were trained. The old and the 
young, the rich and the poor, prepared by learning the duty of 
«oldiers, for the approaching conflict. The country was alive 
with making the necessary arrangements, and every counte- 
nance bcs])oke the melancholy task each had to perform, in tlie 
tragic drama before them, A mind that is not callous to every 
feeling of humanity must revolt at the pictured vision of war, 
in all its cursed deformity. As mankind are as various m their 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 171 

mind as in their look, it was natural to expect difference in sen- 
timent would exist at this most momentous period. Those who 
held offices under the crown, the new emigrants, the timid and 
ignorant, who were more easilj^led hy lear thaa manly courage; 
such magnified the terror, and clung to the autliority of their 
royal master, three thousand miles from America, and as far dis- 
tant from the dictates of conscience and the rights of humanity. 
These received the appellation of tories.. The friends of liber- 
ty, that of whigs. Names by which the advocates of arbitrary 
power, and the friends of constitational liberty, were known in 
England. Gen. Gage, now Governor of Massachusetts, with- 
drew several regiments of troops, and encamped then:: on the 
common at Boston. He afterwards erected fortifications on the 
neck, a narrow isthmus that unites the town with the main land; 
and on the night of the first of September, he seized the powder 
deposited in the provincial arsenal at Cambridge. The people 
in the mean time, were not idle. They appointed delegates to 
a provincial Congress, which assembled early in October. Mr. 
Hancock was chosen president. The delegates resolved that, 
for the defence of the province, a military force, to consist of 
one fourth of the militia, should be organized and stand ready to 
march at a minute's warning ; that money should be raised to 
purchase military stores ; they appointed a committe of supplies, 
and a committee of safety, to act during the recess of Congress. 
The more southern provinces, particularly Pennsylvania, Vir- 
ginia and Maryland, displayed the same love of liberty, and de- 
termination to resist. Provincial Congresses were convened, 
-committees appointed, and resolutions passed, designed and 
adapted to animate those, who, in Massachusetts stood in the 
post of danger, and to raise that ambition so much wanted to 
face the threatening danger, in an unequal struggle with a haugh- 
ty foe. 

1775 commenced. The Parliament of Britain soon entered 
on the discussion of the American affairs. Several plans wem 
brought forward by the opposition party and rejected ; but one. 
proposed by Lord Nortli, th,Q pfimg mi^j^ter, was adopted^ Thf. 



172 AN AMERICAN FIELD OP MARS. 

purport of it was, that if any colony would engage to contrib- 
ute a sum, satisfactory to his majesty, for the common defence, 
the Parliament should forbear to tax that colony, so long as tht; 
contribution was punctually ptid. This plan conceded noth- 
ing. This artifice to divide the colonies, was too plain to bo 
misunderstood; it was treated with the merit it deserved—in- 
dignant scorn and contempt. 

In connection with this mighty offer of North's, measures 
were taken to punish and intimidate. The northern colonies 
were proliibited from fishing on the banks of Newfoundland : ad- 
ditional restrictions were imposed upon the trade of all the pro- 
vinces, and several ships of the linf, and ten thousand troops 
were ordered to America. 

In the debates of Parliament, the friends of the colonics, al- 
though few. were animated in their praise, and eloquent in tlieir 
defence. The adherents oi the ministry, indulged in the gross- 
est abuse and ridicule. 

" The Americans," they said, "were naJtu rally cowards, habit- 
ually lazy, and constitutionally feeble ; they were incapable of 
discipline ; and a small force would be sufficient to conquer 
them." 

This ignorance of our character, preached up by haughty self- 
important knaves, who pre^'^ed on the vitals of government for 
their support, dpubtless caused the ministry to persist in meas- 
ures, which, had their information been correct, they would 
never have undertaken the enterprize that after a severe struggle 
of seven long years, they were oblif^red to abandon, with shame 
to themselves and dislionor to the nation. The prophetic con- 
jectures of Charles Carroll, some years before the revolutionary 
war, to a member of the British Parliament, has betn fully rea- 
hzed in the result. He says in his letter, '= your thousands of 
soldiers may come, but they will be masters only of the spot on 
which they encamp. They will find nought but enemies be- 
fore and around them. If we are beaten on our plains, we will 
retreat to our mountains, and defy them. Our resources will 
increase with our difficulties ; necessity will force us to exer- 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES, i^O' 

lions ; until tired of combating in vain, against a spirit, which 
victory after victory cannot subdue, your armies will evacuate 
our soil ,and your country retire an immense looser from the con- 
test. No, sir, we have made up our minds to abide the issue of 
1 he approaching strug£:le- and though much blood may be spil- 
led we have no doubt of our ultimate success." 

What is Aristocracy} 
It is a government made up of hereditary noblemen, wise men 
or fools, as nature or vicious conduct makes them — having the 
power granted by some mighty earthly monarch, to make laws to 
rob the people of then* just earnings, through which state of roy- 
al robbery they accumulate immense wealth, without any ser- 
vice to the kingdom or empire on which they prey for a living. 
In the Glasgow Radical RefcTmed Gazette, the subject of this 
(Question is rightly delineated in poetry. 

" What is a Peer ?" 
'• What is a Peer ? An useless thing, 
A costly toy, to please a King • 
A bubble near the throne. 
A lump of animated clay, 
A gaudy pageant of the day, 
An incubus, a drone. 

What is a Peer? A nation's curse^ 
A pauper on the public purse. 

Corruption's own jackall, 
A haughty, domineering blade, 
A cuckold at a masquerade, 

A dandy at a ball. 

Ye butterflies, whom Kings create,^ 
Ye caterpillars of the state, 

Know that your time is near, 
Enlightened France will lead the va», 
To overthrow your worthless clan, 
This mortals, learn — that God made man, 

But never made a Peer." 



174 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

"Self-created, or created by earthly power, for selfish purposes, 
is as silly as ambition in a madman. Each wants a chain to 
keep him in the bounds of reason. Earth's creation is like snow- 
in July — it instantly disappears. The vapors of nobility vanish 
at deatli, and leave a phantom of mortal poverty, where virtue 
is wanting. 

Matters with the colonies had now arrived at a period timt 
must eventually decide the state of peace or war. Great-Britain, 
on the one hand, demanded almost unconditional submission — 
sending her thousands to support her royal master's claim ; 
tliinking thereby to intimidate into submission those whom he 
could neither deceive, or awe by threats and menaces. On the 
other hand, America determined to defend her injured rights^ 
and support her liberty and natural citizenship with the rest of 
British subjects, even at the hazard of life, property, peril, fatigue 
or dangers, incident to war. 

Lexington Battle. 

On the evening of the 18th of April, Gen. Gage detached 
from Boston, eight hundred troops to commence the great event, 
in destroying the military stores collected by the committee of 
supplies and deposited in Concord. They marched out with 
the greatest secrecy, wishing if possible, to achieve the enter- 
prize without alarming the country — but in vain. News spread 
faster than they marched. The country rallied in arms belbre 
tliem ; the bells rung, signal guns were fired, the militia asseni- 
bled at Lexington, on the morning of the 10th, shortly after the 
advance of the British were in sight, and approached to within 
musket shot. Major Pitcairn rode forward and exclaimed "chs- 
perse, you rebels, throw down your arms and disperse!" Not 
being instantly obeyed, he discharged his pistol, and ordered his 
men to fire. Several were killed and wounded. The militia 
dispersed ; the firing continued ; eight were killed. The Brit- 
ish continued their march to Concord, and destroyed the stores. 
The minute-men being reinforced, advanced; a skirmish ensued, 
in Avhich Capt. Davis was killed ; the British leaving several 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 175 

killed, were compelled to retreat. The whole of the country 
aroused to arms ; militia pressing* on the rear, placing them- 
selves behind trees, stone walls, rocks and every covert along 
tire road, exceedingly annoyed the British on their retreat. At 
Lexington they were met by a reinforcement under command 
of Lord Pircy, whom General Gage had detached on receiving 
information of what had happened in the morning. After 
resting for a few minutes, they proceeded on to Boston. In 
their retreat they were much annoyed by the provincials, whose 
number hourly increased ; meeting the enemy at every bend of 
the road, and being experienced marksmen, their shots, nearly 
all took efiect. At sunset, the regulars, almost overcome with fa- 
tigue, passed along Charleston creek and found on Bunker's 
Hill, a place of repose and safety. In this engagement, sixty-five 
of the British were killed, and one hundred and eighty wound- 
ded and twenty-eight taken prisoners. Of the provincials, fifty 
were killed, thirty-four wounded, and four missing. Here was 
spilt the first blood in this memorible contest, a contest that 
placed a new and independent nation on the annals of the world, 
and has decided the great question as to republican principles 
governing a nation, when boundaries, and resources, are as ex- 
tensive as ours. 

Intelligence of this battle spread like 'lightning through 
the colonies. The farmer left his plough in the furrow ; the 
mechanic dropped his tools and seized his arms ; and in a few 
days Boston was environed by a large army, commanded by 
Generals Ward and Putnam — which alarmed Gen. Gates for 
the safety of his garrison. The great drama opened a scene, 
and each party had no alternative but to choose their possession. 
Unanimity prevailed in nearly all the colonies, with a determi- 
nation to unite their fortunes with their lives, in the general 
cause. 

Col. Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold formed, with others 
tlie bold design to surprise Ticonderoga , a fort situated on the 
western shore of Lake Champlain. Allen and Arnold, at the 
head of the Green Mountain Boys, hastened to Ticonderoga. 



176 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

On the night oi the 9th of May, with about eighty men — all the- 
boats could carry, crossed the lake, and at dawn of day landed 
near the fortress. They advanced to the gate-way. A 
sentinel snapped his fusee at Col. Allen and retreated. The A" 
mericans followed and lound the commander in bed. Gol. Allen 
demanded a surrender of the fort. "By what authority do you 
demand it?"' '-In the name" rephetl Allen, "of the Great Jeho- 
vah, and the Continental Congress,"' The British officer iiav- 
ing but fifty men, now saw that resistance would be in vain,, 
agreed to surrender. 

Bunker's Hill Battle. 

The heights of Charleston arc so situated as to make the pos- 
session of them, a matter of oreat consequence to either of the 
contending parties. The militia assembling from the country, 
invested Boston in such numbers, that Gage was alarmed lor 
Ills safety, and made arrangements to penetrate with his army 
into the country in preference of being besieged. To prevent 
tills, the provincial generals resolved to take possession of Bun- 
ker's Hill, a commanding eminence in Charleston. On the eve- 
ning of the 16th June, a thousand men, commanded by Gen. 
Prescottof Massachusetts, Col. Starks of New-Hampshire, and 
Capt. Knowltori from Connecticut, were ordered to that place. 
Here the Americans between midnight and morning, v.ath un- 
common expedition and silence, threw up a small redoubt, which 
tlie British did not discover till the morning of the 17th, w^hen 
lliey commenced a heavy cannonading and continued until af- 
ternoon. The Americans with intrepid bravery, regardless of 
their fire, continued their works on Breed's Hill, which through 
mistiike in the night, being situated nearer the water than Bun- 
ker's Hill, was the post now occupied, and finished tlie redoubt, 
aiid while arrangements were making in Boston, to drive the 
yankees from the hill, tiie rebels, as the British termed us, 
were not idle in preparing to leceive tlieir royal guests. They 
extended a breast work from the redoubt eastward to the water. 
About noon, Gen. Gage detached Maj. Gen. Howe, and Brigar 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 177 

dier Gen. Pigott, with the flower of tho army iti two detachments, 
amounting iti the whole to near three thousand men. They 
landed at a poi]it 150 or 2i)0 rods south-east of the redoubt, and 
deliberately prepared for the conflict. While the troops who 
first landed were waiting: for a reinforcement, the Americans ogi 
die left winor, towards Mystic river, for their security, pulled up 
seme adjoining post and rail fence, and set it down in two paral- 
lel lines near each other, and tilled the space with hay, which 
the day before was mowed and remained in the fields. The 
British troops in the meantime formed in two lines, and about 
3 o'clock advanced slowly towards the Americans. The hills, 
steeples, and every commandmg eminence, around this field of 
destruction, a golgotha for tyrants, were crowded with anxious 
.spectators, to beho'd the aw.ul and dubious conflict. Deep anx- 
iety pervaded every bosom. America commencing an arduous 
■struggle to support her liberties at the point of tlie bayonet, on 
the one hand ; v.diile some felt for the British honor on the 
other. The attack commenced on the part of the British 
troops. The Americans v.'cre ordered by Gen. Pntnam tore- 
serve their fire, till they could see the white of their enemies' 
eye ; they accordingly, suffered the British to advance within 
ten or twelve rods of their works, when they met them with a 
storm of lead, that stopped th^ir advance ; m-ywed down their 
ranks, and occas'oned a precipitate retreat. Their ofiicers ral- 
lied them with difficulty, and pushed them forward with their 
swords to a second attack. They v/ere in the same manner put' 
to fli2:ht. With greater difficulty, they were iorced by Gen. Howe 
to a tliird attack; the other officers declaring it downright butch- 
ery. By this time the powder of the Americans h'.-r^n to fail, 
and their redoubt was attaclced on two sides. Under these cir- 
•cumstances, a retreat was ordered. The left wing of the Amer- 
ican nrmy, north-east of the redoubt, ignorant of what had 
passed, defended themselves, fighting with the butts of their mus- 
kets, (notliaving bayonets,) till nenr'y sniround.>d by the British; 
when they retrex'ed with inconsid^^rable loss, co sider'n^- the 
23 



178 . REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 

ground they iiad to pass lay completely exposed to a tremendous 
fire from the Glasgow man-of-war. 

During the scene of this bloody action, Charlestown was set 
on fire by order of that British incendiary, Gen. Gage, from a 
battery on Cope's Hill, in Boston ; and a party irom the Som- 
erset man-of-war. lying in Charles' River ; and nearly 400 
houses, including" .«ix public buildings, were consumed, with 
their furiiilurc, valued by nineteen men, under oath, at $524,000. 
Two thousand persons v/erc thus reduced from ailliience and 
mediocrity, to the most aggravated poverty and exile. The 
number of Americans engaged in this memorable battle, amoun- 
ted to fifteen hundred only. Modern wars hardiy show a more 
bloody and stubborn fought battle, considering the numbers en- 
gaged, than was witnessed in this short action. Many a parent 
mourned a son; many a wife .m husband slain. The loss of 
the British, as acknowledged by Gen. Gage, amounted to one 
thousand fifty-four men. Nineteen commissioned officers were 
killed, and seventy wounded. The loss of the Americans was- 
seventy-seven killed, and two hundred seventy-eight wound- 
ed and missing. 

The death of Maj. Gen. Warren, who four days before, hact 
received liis commission, and having no command assigned him, 
fought this day as a volunteer, was greatly lamented. " * o the 
purest patriotism, and tlic most undaunted bravery, he added 
the eloquence of an accomplished orator and the wisdom of an 
able statesman.'' He was beloved, and respected by his republi- 
can associates, in a cause where liberty was blended with lite» 
and must be defended by the sword and point of the bayonet. 

In the midst of these military movementSj.the colonies, an imated- 
with their former invincible spirit against oppression, determined^ 
under heaven's Supreme, to front all danger, and with Spartaiv 
bravery stand the test while life lent them aid to charge their 
haughty foe. A Congress was sunmioned to convene at Phila- 
delphia ; twelve of the thirteen colonies sent delegates ; resolu- 
taons were adopted, to oppo,se in all its views Parliamentarf 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. ITO" 

Caxation. A majority had not made up their mind.s as to a sepa- 
ration li"om their mother coiui'ry, and of a di^cided claim to 
independence. Measures fit this date, partook of the opposite 
feclins's ol the dtleirates. l\Ir. John Hancock, the proscribed 
kader of rebels, was chosen President ; and it was unanimously 
agreed to remonstrate a2;ainst the late proceedings, and humbly 
petition the king for redress of repeated wrongs. They also re- 
solved to provide means of defence, and select proper officers to 
organize an army, and provide for the public safety — relying 
on God ibr protection, the only help when dangers surround^ 
and war's calamities threaten to involve fathers, mothers, broth- 
ers, sisters, soasand daughters, in one common calamity. Each 
reflecting mind saw the perilous situation of this country, con- 
sisting only of three millions of souls, in open arms, conten- 
ding for denied rights, against four times that number — and all 
the means to subdue by lorco, bribery and power added to their 
strength by sea and land. 

The colonies, to arouse the martial spirit of thoir southern 
brethren, and influence them to embark warmly in the cause of 
resistance, selected George Washington, of Virginia, and by a 
unanimous vote of the Delegates present, appointed him Com- 
mander-in-Chief of our armies. His past militaiy achievements^. 
his great wealth and commanding aspect, his ardent patriotism 
and zeal for his country, all conspire to show to the world a 
character suited to the present emergency, and rightly ca'cula- 
ted to illustrate a celebrated Cineinnatus of America. He ac- 
cepted the appointment with that diflid :'nco which spoke his 
greatness of soul, assuring Congress, that no pecuniary compen- 
sation could induce him to quit his retirement and domestic ease, 
for the toils, fatigues and dangers of the camp. But, says the 
sage and hero, "my country calls, her rights are invaded, her hon- 
or is at stake, and I must obey." He would accept of no pay 
but his necessary expenses. Artimus Ward, Charles Lee, Philip 
Schuyler and lisrael Putnam, were then chosen Maj. Generals; 
and Horatio Gates, Adjutant General. Congress then resolved 
to issue bills of credit to the amount of $3,000,000, pledging^ 



ISO REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 

the coloiiios as security. A solemn and dignified declaration, 
setting I'oith the cause and ncce^-siiy ot" taiung up arms, was 
prepared, to be delivered to the army in orders, ;.ud to tlie peo- 
ple I'rom the pulpit. Atter enumerating the aggressions ol 
Great-Britain, with the encriry ol" men leeling unmerited injury, 
they exclaim, 'But why should we enumerate our injuries in 
detail .' By one statute, it is declared that Parliament can, cl 
rislits, make laws to bind us in all cases whatsoever. "What is 
to detend us aarainst so t normous, so unlimited n power i is'ot a 
sintjle man oi those who assume it was chosen by us, or is sub- 
ject to our control or mtiuence ; but on tlie contrary, they are 
all exempt lVo:n the oporations of our laws; and an American 
revenue, it" not diverted trom the ostensible purpose for which 
it is raised, would actualiy lighten tiieir own burdens, in propor- 
tion as it increases ours. We saw the miseries that such despo- 
tism would reduce us to ; we lor ten years incessantly besiegetl 
the throne as supplicants; we reasoned, we remonstrated with 
Parliament in triendly terms ; we are now reduced to the alter- 
native of choosing an unconditional submissioji to the will ol 
irritated ministers, or resistance by force. The latter is our 
choice. AVe have conntinl the cost of this contest, aiid find no- 
tliinir so dreadful as voluntary slavery. Honor, justice and hu- 
manity, forbids us tamely to surrender that freedom which we 
received from our gallant ancestors, and which our growing 
posterity have a right to receive from us. We cannot endure 
the infamy and guilt of resigning succeeding generations to 
that wretchedness that inevitably await them, if we basely en- 
tail hereditary bondage upon them. Our cause is just ; our 
union is perfect ; our internal resource-s are great ; and if ne- 
cessary, foreign as."-istance is undoubtedly obtainable. We 
jTratefuUv acknowledge as a siirnal instance of divine favor to- 
wards us, that bis providence would not permit us to be CiUIed 
into this severe controversy until we were grown up to our 
present strength : had l>een previously exercised in warlike op- 
erations : and possessed the means of defending ourselves. 
With hearts fortitiLd by tliese animating rcfiections, we solemn- 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 181 

ly declare before God, and the world, that exertino- the utmost 
ciieroy of those powers which our beneticent Creator hath gra- 
ciously bestowed, the arms we have been compelled to assume, 
we will in defiance of every hazard, with unabatino- firmness 
and perseverance employ for the preservation of our liberties, 
being" with one iieart and one mind resolved to die freemen rath- 
er than live slaves." 

Soon after their appointment, Gen. Washington, accompa- 
nied bv Gen. L.ee and several other jrentlemen, set out for the 
camp at Cambridjje. In every place tlu'ou«-h which ho passed 
he received the hif^hest b.onors. A committee from the provin- 
cial cona:ress in Mussaclmsetts, met him at Springfield, and 
conducted him to head-quarters ; where another committee ad- 
dressed him in a respectful and affectionate manner. "He 
found the army, consisting of fourteen thousand men, posted on 
the heights around Boston, forming a line which extended on 
ll;c riglit to Mystic river, and on the left a distance of twelve 
miles. The troops were ardently devoted to the cause of liber- 
ty, but poorly disciplined and badly supplied with the munitions 
of war ; without tents ; averse tr> subordination, and wanting 
most of the necessaries usually provided for a regular army. 
Gen. Washington instantly set about the necessary reform, and 
with the assistance of Gen. Gates, he soon introduced some 
degree of regularity. Some powder was obtained from New- 
Jersey, and Capt. Manly, commander of the privateer Lee 
captured an ordnance ship, containing arms, ammunition, and a 
complete assortment of such working tools as were most needed 
in the American camp. 'J'his providential capture, and others 
of a similar nature, supplied the present wants, and enabled the 
army to continue the blockade of Boston, and greatly distress 
the enemy, who depended on those carg03S for supplies. 

The occurancesof this year, in the southern co'onies, served 
to alienate the attachment of the p.?opli^ fron G/eat-Brit-un, and 
heighten the flame of discord. In Viririii'- 'ei'l ])unmore, 
the royal Governor, seized by nioht some powder. be!cni;in^ to 
the colony, and conveyed it on board a British ship, in James 



182 REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 

river. Intelligence of th.s affair reached Patii 3k Henry, who 
took command of some independent volunteer companies, sta- 
tationed near wliere he lived, and fired with that patriotic zeal 
incident to his character, marched toward the seat of government 
with the avowed purpose of obtaining by force restitution ot 
the powder, or its vahic. He was met by a messenger who paid 
for the powder, when he and the militia returned to their homes. 
Alarmed by this courageous procedure, Lord Dunmore fortified 
his palace. From this castle he issued a proclamation, charging 
Henry and associates with rebellious practices; — which offen- 
ded the people, who highly approved of their conduct. Other 
causes increased the po]iular ferment. He quitted his palace 
and repaired on board his fieet, then lyi !g nt York-Town. In 
November, he issued a formal proclamfition, offering freedom to 
slaves belonging to rebel masters, who would join his majesty's 
troops at York-Town. Several hundred, in consequence, re- 
paired to that place. A body ot militia immediately assembled, 
and while posted near that city, were attacked with great brave- 
ry by the res^ular troops, the royalists and negroes. The militia 
repelled the attack with equal bravery and gained a decisive 
victory. 

Lord Dunmore then left the city, and followed by his whole 
white and black forces, sought safety on board his Majesty's 
ships, then lying at anchor in the harbor. Soon after, this royal 
coward gave orders to set fire to the flourishing town of Norfolk, 
and wantonly laid the most of it in ashes. Such was the effect 
of cramped authority in a royal governor, that only served to en- 
flame the populace, whose minds, already heated by repeated 
wrongs, were ready to burst into a flame. The colonies, in- 
stead of being intimidated into submission ];y such flairrant 
violations of justice, raised the standard of liberty, assembled in 
companies, battalions and regiments, and bade defiance I0 such 
meanness, as manifested its vile character in this British incen- 
diary's wantonness. 

The Governor of Nftrthrarolina, followed the example of 
Lord Dunmore, and fortified iiis palace at Newburn. This 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 183 

caused a great excitement among the people; he retired on 
board a ship in the harbor, and made exertions to raise and or- 
ganize a party in his favor. A number of Highlanders enlisted, 
but being soon met by the militia, they were glad to fmd safety 
in flight; when the whigs in triumph crushed the (action and 
•hopes of the spn-it of royalty, and secured the predominance of 
>martial power over the minions of a royal master. 

Soath-Carolina, uianimoiis in zeal, resisted the invasion of 
parliamentary pretensions to taxation, and soon after the battle 
of Lexington, the Governor, Lord William Cjuupbell, seeing 
threatening storms advance, retired from the province. 

In July, Georgia chose delegates to the Congress of the thir- 
teen colonies, and unittd with the Union. 

The provmce of New-York warmly advocated the course 
pursued ; but many of the principal inliabitants, cont ;; ?ting the 
royal principles, had become advocates of thj roya! 1 r ler ; the 
people declined sanctioning their opinion, chose a provincial 
Congress for the state, to represent the claims of emancipation. 
When intelligence of tlie battle of Lexington reached the city, 
Capt. Sears, whose mind disdained servitude, took mtisures to 
€top vessels bound lo New- York, fiivoriugthe royal cause. 

'The princii)al inhabitants assciubUid at the altar of liberty, 
determined to assist in carrying into effect the recommendations 
of a continental Congress, to cramp the pjwer of oppression, 
and acts of British usurpation. 

The British ministry, eaijer to retain in obedience this impor- 
tant colony, appointed tlie infamous l^ryon, Governor. He hcd 
•with ability filled the same office before; was a man of address, 
and generally esteemed by the people. He was empoweiv,d to 
^•ant pardons, rewards, and to gain adiierents by proffers of 
money at discretion. Tliis intriouiag emissary of liberty a- 
larmed Congress, which instantly gave orders to arrest any per- 
son whose measures were unfriend :y to the causj of freedom 
and confine them in custody as disturbers of the peace. Gam- 
iiag early intelligence of this, he sought safety by flight on board 
■aship iutlie harbor. 



184 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

Although the autumn of 1775 was not distinguislied by any 
important achievement, Congress and tlic commander-in-chief 
employed every moment to raise and discipline troops, lay in a 
supply of ammunition, provisions and clothing for an army, and 
build and equip a naval force as fast as possible. Two expedi- 
tions were planned against Canada, by the way of lake Cham- 
plain, and Kennebec river. Gen. Lee, with 1200 men was or- 
dered to the city of New-York, to iortifythe town. The aboli- 
tion of all royal autiiority made it necessary to provide means 
to repel what must be expected liojTi a gang of ministerial des- 
pots, with Lords North and Bute at their head. 

New-Hampshire, desirous of advice on the occasion, applied 
to Congress; whose zealous patriotism recommended a remedy 
for the evil, which would exhibit in practice the fundamental 
principles of their political creed — that all legitimate authority 
originated with the. people, and should lead them to the desired 
object of freedom and independence. 

Resolutions were adopted, whicii recommended that a con- 
vention of representatives, freely elected by the freemen of the 
colonies, should be called for the purpose of establishing such a 
form of government as the present time demanded. It was 
warmly opposed by those members v^^ho were yet desirous of an 
accommodation with England. The resolutions passed with a- 
mendraents, providing that the government should continue in 
the hands of the people, till matters v/ere adjusted with Great- 
Britain. Representatives were accordingly chosen, who, on the 
3d of January, 1776, adopted a written constitution, acknowl- 
edging no power but the people. In other colonies tiie same 
course of policy was pursued. 

In October, a transaction occurred, displaying the vindicative 
feelings of the British mini^>try. Orders were issued to the navy 
to proceed, as in case of rebellion, against all the colonial sea- 
ports, accessible to ships of war — wliich aided the general cause 
of liberty. Falmouth, aflourisliing town in Mass:icliusetts, hav- 
ing offended their royal master, was proscribed by those Nero's 
to destruction, and Capt. Mowatt, with four ships, was ordered] 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 185 

to execute iiis master's revenge on this devoted place. The in- 
habitants made an effort, by negotiation, to save the town, hut 
the terms proposed were rejected. A bombard nient sooii com- 
menced, and fire and devastatioji followed. The town was im- 
mediately in flames, rolling to heaven her complaints againU 
desposts. Fonr hundred buildings w^ere wantonly laid in ashes, 
and hundreds of families reduced in a few hours h'om affluence 
to poverty and despair. This act of savage dev;istation, was 
strongly reprobated in Amcricn, and served to increaf3e the fire 
already begun, to aflame not easily subdued by threats, or the 
menaces of a haughty and tyrannical foe. This tov/n, lias since 
been called Portland, and is now the capital of the State of Maine. 

As the ye.?.r 1775 drew near to a close, and all prospeclsof an 
accommodation with England was at end, and arms, and strength 
of battle, with the assistance of Heaven, the only alternal.ve left 
— submission disdained ; the standard of freemen unfurled ; 
while the animating voice of liberty echoed o'er hills, mountains 
and vallies, calling our patriots from the east, from the west, 
from the north, and h-om the south, to tala; the field, and man- 
fully oppose the hydra of oppressiop, and level the authority of 
r.surpation with the filth of in''amy, to converse Vvdth fallen gran- 
deur and the rich names of LiUropean lolly. 

The term of enlistment of our troops, for this year, expired 
the first day of January ; and as the blockade of Boston, by our 
armies, must be maintained, the early attention of Conirress was 
called to measures adequate to meet the present situation of af- 
fairs. It was immediately resolved to raise an army of 20,000 
men ; to be re-enlisted as soon as possible, from those in service. 
Unfortunately for the struggle that ensued lor independence, it 
was agreed to enlist for one year only —an error, afterwards se- 
verely felt. Hut when the experiment was tried, it was found 
that the ardor of the troops tlien in service had mueli abated, 
and that the blockade of Boston presented no opportunity of ac- 
quiring glory to the American army by d-iring deeds of sidll and 
patriotism ; and that fatiL'^ne a-id the disasters of a camp, sensi- 
bly eflected their health ; tliat homes and families called many 
24 



186 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

to domestic concerns, and more to the fire-side, throuorh a cold 
and npproachinG: winter. Although great exertions were made 
by Gen. Washington and other officers, no more tlian half the 
estimated number were enlisted at the close of the year. The 
people and the troops, supposing the army much stronger than 
it actually was, expressed great dissatisfaction toward the com- 
mander-in-chief, which some imputed to dishonorable motives. 
An attack on Boston was loudly demanded. Gen. Washington 
proposed it three times in a counsel of war. In every instance 
the decision was unanimous against it. At last the council a- 
agreed that the town should be more closely invested. 



EXPEDITION AGAINST CAKADA, IN 1775. 



Two enterprises were planned. One by the way of lake 
•Champlain, commanded by Gen. Schnyler, with about three 
thousand men, to whicii was att ichcd Brigadier Gen. Montgom- 
ery, a young officer of distinirnislied talents and ambitious of 
glory. Gov. Carlton iiad early intelligence of this enterprise, 
aad immediately detached eight hundred men to strengthen Sl 
Johns, a post of consequence, situated on Sorell river, and com-y 
manding the entrance into Canada. By this route Gen. Mont- 
gomery proceeded with the troops in readiness, to Isle aux Noix, 
and Gen, Schuyler soon followed. 

Gen. Montgomery, when commencing his military career, 
said to his wife at parting, " you shall never blush for your Mont- 
gomery." 

Here Gen. Schnyler pnb'ished his manifesto to the Canadians, 
exhorlingthem to joai their brethren in the cause of liberty; sta- 
ting that Americans came as friends to the inhabitants, and en- 
emies only to those tiiey found in arms against them. Gen- 
Schuyler finding St. Johns stronger than was anticipated, re- 
returned to Albany, to hasten on a reinforcement, and being ta- 
ken sick, the command devolved on Gen. Montgomery; who on 
receiving the reinforcement, invested St. Johns. But wanting 
battering cannon, he made s'ow advances. Col. Allen, with 
Maj. Brown, having been detached into the interior of Canada, 
had the rashness to attack Montreal. Maj. IBrown, failing to 
execute his part of the plan. Col. Allen attacked the whole force 
under Gov. Carlton, and was overpowered by numbers, and ta- 
ken prisoner. The Governor loaded him with irons, and sent 
him as a rebel to England. Gen. Montgomery, on the I8th of 
October attacked fort Chambley, a lew miles north of St. Johns, 



188 AN AMERICAN FIKLD OP M VKS. 

and carried it with little loss, taking: several cannon and one 
hundred and twenty barrels of powdir. The Americans, en- 
con ra:i;:ed by this success, prepared to attack St. Johns. Gov. 
Carlton, on perceiving its dan;icr, iniaiediately detached eight 
hundred reiiuliusand Indians to its relief. When near the south 
sliorc ol the St. Lawrence, Col. Warner concealed three hun- 
dred men in trie bushes on its banks, who on their approach, 
gave tlicm a yankce salute of powder and ball, which stopped 
their career and made his excellency hasten back to Montreal, 
and leave St. Johns to its fatd. 

November 1st, Gen. Montgomery commenced a terrible can- 
nonnde on St. Johns, which continued through the day. In the 
evening he sent to the British commander, by one of the Gov- 
e^-nor's men, wlio was a prisoner, a message, demanding a sur- 
render of tb.e garrison, informing him of the Governor's deleat. 
It was accordingly surrendered next morning. Gen. Montgom- 
ery then hastened to Montreal, which surrendered without 
oppo;:ition. Gov. Carlton qiiitting it the night before, believing 
the town not tenable. Montgomery treated the citizens with 
kindness, rranting them all their rights, as to property and reli- 
gion. With the remiiiiider of his army, only three hundred 
strong, lie embarked for Quebec, to forma junction \vith Col. 
Arnold's corps. 

Co:. Arno'd, who, as a soldier, was adventurous, imperious 
and fearless ; as a man was overI)earin:r, avaricious, and pro- 
Higiitc. He was sent from Boston with one tliousand men, by 
Kemiebcck river, over njounlaip.s high and lofty, to the river St. 
Lawrence. The22d of September, they embarked up the Ken- 
nobock, whose current was rapid and full of cataracts. This 
they had to encounter, and climb crnggy mountains, passing 
deep swamps ; and they sufTered hunger to siicli a degree as to 
eat dogs, leather and cartridge boxes, and old shoes. When 
within one hundred miles of the settlements or any hopes of 
relief, they divided thrir stock of provisionr, to each man his, 
share, (which was only two quarts of flour.) with orders to make 
their best v/ay through tiie wilderness, by companies or singly 



RRVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 189 

to the first Canndian settlements. When tliose of the company 
whose superior strength enabicd them to advance, were thirty 
miles lioiii any habitation, tlieir last morsel of food was con- 
sumed. Col. Arnold, and a lew of the most robust, pressed for- 
ward to the French stttleinents ; procured food, and raturned 
back to their staivinu- companions. The inhabitants welcomed 
them with cordial hosj)itality. Arnold distributed proclama- 
tions amongst them, snnilar to those issui.'d by Gan. Schuyler. 

Oil the 9tli of November, Arnold arrived at Point Levi, oppo- 
site to Quebec. ]\oti)in<i' could exce«'d the surprise and aston- 
ishment of the inhabitants on seeing a body of hostile troops 
emerge from the wilderness. Had Col, Arnold at this juncture 
been able to cross tlie liver. the city must have fallen an easy 
conquest. But boats not lein^ ready, and a furious storm com- 
mencing, he could not pass. Having procured some boats, he 
crossed on the night of t!ie 1 3th, and landed near where Wolfe 
landed in former wars. Mounting the same steep ascent, he 
formed his troops on the plains of Abraham, and marched to- 
wards the city. Perceiving by the cannonade from the walls 
that the Critisli were ready to receive him, he encamped on the 
plains ; and on the 18t,h marched to Point Aux Tremble, twenty 
miles from Quebec, thereto await Gen. Montgomery's arrival. 

December 1st, to the great joy of both armies, Montgomery 
arrived, with clothing, supplies. &,c. Tlieir united forces a- 
mounted to only nine hundred elicctive men. 

On t!ic fiftli, they appeared before the city and demanded a 
surrender. Gov. ('arilon ordered his troops to fire on the flag 
bearer. Perceiving wliat thej'- had got to encounter, and that 
nothing was to be gained from defection to the royal cause, and 
that force of arms, witli blood ;nid slaughter, must decide the 
victory — the garri?on (iftecn hundred strong; a walled city to 
assault against almost double numbers, and a cold and snowy 
winter to expect — conquest looked doubtful, and almost too 
desperate for aa attempt. Yet, ambitious of honor, our young 
heroes determined to try the event. 

Accordingly, on the 3 1st of December, arrangements being 



190 AJJ AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

made, at -i o'clock, while a violent s'.iow storm -.vas raginsf, lh»r 
troops inarched to the assault in tour columns, conununded by 
Arnold, Montgomery, Livingston aiul I^rown. Inijxded by 
the snow, they did not arrive in time to execute thier plans. 
Montiiomery advanced at the head ot' his column along the 
banks of the St. Lawrence ; came to a barrier or stoekade of 
stronsT posts, two of which l>o sawed otf with liis own hands ; he 
passed the opening, encouraging his men to follow him; the 
tj-uard tied to the guard-house, that was over the gateway 
leading to the upper town. At this moment Montgomery halt- 
ed to lorm his men. ObserviniT his delay, a Canadian returned 
into the iruar<l-house, seized a match that was burning, and dis- 
chargetl a eaimoa loaded with grape shot. I'ortnitously jx^inted 
at this little band, which was instantly fatal to ^loutgomcry and 
several otfioers around him. Col. Campbell, the next m com- 
mand, ordered a retreat; which left the garrison at liberty to- 
hasten to the relief of other parts oi the town, ahirmed IVimu 
Arnold's attack. 

This otlioer entered tlto town at the head of l.is corps , ad- 
vanced aiong a narrow street which was swept by grape shot; 
received a severe wound in his leg, and was carried otl". Col. 
Morgan assumed the command: advanced, and drove the. ene- 
my from riieir guns. Here he Iwlted to have his column con\e 
up. "When time was given for retioction, the othcvrs saw the 
dan<rer of their situation — in the heart of a city, surrounded by 
enemies, a afreat distance from home and triends, was an unplea- 
siuit theme for the rejection of tlic bravest. Yet, facing death 
aiid all the instruuKMits of war, he ordered his troops to storm 
the second bauerv. Rut the tiring from the windows oi' the 
housi^ caused the troops, who wore already bouumlxxl with 
cold, al'ter they had mounted the ramparts, to recoil t'rom tho 
danger. \N'eary with exerticMi ; exposed to a deadly tire trom 
every quarter ; their arms rendered useless by the snow that 
continual to tall, the soldiers sought retuge in houses. Per- 
ceivinj; that all lurther attempts would only result in the loss of 
Uv€s, Col. Morgan gave tlie signal for retreat. Some tied; but 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 191 

most o( the men being unwilling to eiicoiinter another storm ot 
lead, rclused to yield until assured of the death of Gen. Mont- 
gomery; when, k)siiio; all hope of esenpe or suecess they sur- 
rendered tliemseives prisoners of war. 

The loss of the Anierieai s in this desjunate attack was four 
hundred men, of whom one hundred and litty were killed. 

On the news of tliis melancholy disaster, a general murmur 
pervaded every part of the Union, The loss of the brave and 
patriotic Montgomery, at this trying hour for liberly — whose 
generous soul rose on wings to the })innacle of future fame, and 
bid fair to record his name anions^st the heroes in war, the sages 
of moderns, and philanthropists of earth, was deeply and uni- 
versally lamer.ted. His amiable qualities liad procured an un 
Gommon share of public and private esteem. His great abilities 
were conspimjons in life; his virtues shone bright till death, 
and his untimely fall was a loss to iiis^fanuly, to his conntry, 
and the world. The British minister respected his merit and 
acknowledged his worth, while he reprobated the cause in which 
he fell. He concluded an involuntary panegyric by sayings 
** Curse on his virtues ; tJiey have undone his country.''* 

STANZA. 

Thus nil that 's mortal here must die, 

The world records illustrious birth-, 
Creation in the dust must lie. 

While all must perish here on earth. 



•Gren. Montgomery descended from a respectnble family in the north of 
Ireland, .nnd was born in in 1737. His attachmont to liberty was innate, and 
matured by a tine education and an cxce lent understanding. Alter his mar- 
riage he removed to the stale of New-York, where he purchased an estate. 
From principles of n.Ttnre, he early embu-kt-d in the cause of liberty ; leaving 
an easy fortune, and the enjoyment of domestic and social life, to take an active- 
share in all the toils, fiiigae and dinger, attending a camp. Before he came 
over to America he had been an oiTicer in the service of England, and had 
tought her bitiles with the immortal Woife, in the war of 17ril>, on or near tho 
rery spot where, fighting under the banner of freedom, he was doouied to fall ia 
arms against her. 



192 



AN AMKRICAN FIELD OF MARS. 



I[!iisrrioiis birth uiu] pedi2:rec 

Ti'ie roy.il archives may recount, 
Bat what arc they witli Deity, 

When summed up with the last account? 
Montu:omery's death and Washington's, 

And all the ilhistrious earth can name — 
Alas ! record;.'d dead and gone, 

While knaves and villains dead the same. 
The viie.st wretches earth produce 

In this arc equal with the wise : 
Ont- d.^atli the lot — unerring truth — 

Of him who lives, or him who dies. 
The inmiortal only lives at death. 

Earth entombs the mortal part ; 
The vile and worthless souls of earth 

To dust return, their works desert. 
Nothiii:,r ill hoaven s'lall ever live 

Cut what adorns this earthly frame. 
Virtue tliis li cto morta's ^--ive, 

Whi'e vice blanks all things v/ith lier name. 
Tlie life that lives a living life 

]\lust he immortalized in time ; 
Annihilation ends the strife 

Tiiat vice and folly hold sublime. 
Modern or (uicients — where the name, ' 

From Adam to the present dav, 
That adorns the list of earthly fame 

13nt those whose mind its powers obey, 
In some renowned, immortal deed. 

To inunortalixe morlality? 
W^hi'e vicious views make mortals bleed 

And ttu'n im.nortal powers to clay. 
Montgomery, nor Washington, 

Nor all the sages earth can name, 
Can immortalize a virions son — 
Nor all the blood of heroes slain. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. ^93 

■'Death elevates the mortal part 

Of those whose animated mind 
Raises the mortal mental chart 

Of life's vast worth to frail mankind. 
The dictates of an honest heart 

Are joys unsullied by time or age — 
A treasure that shall ne'er depart, 

But live, eternal, with the sage. 
The warrior's greatness must agree 

With Washington's — whose fame shall live- 
And with our brave Montgomery's , 

Which realizing worth can give. 
America ! adorn the page 

Of future history's growing fame. 
Thy youth ! immortalize the age 

W^ith life that animates the flame. 
To spread its influence far and wide. 

O'er land and ocean's broad domain ; 
To help the poor ; for wants provide, 

And free the oppressed from slavery's chain- 
Emancipate the world of life ; 

Let freeman's voice reverberate, 
While martial powers hush all their strif;:'; - 

And freedom opens v/ide her gate. 

To the memory of this distinguished ofliccr and patriot Goii- 
gress resolved that a monument should be erected. In 1818, 
New- York, his adopted state, removed his remains from Uue- 
bec to her metropolis, where the monument was erected, and 
fjcar it the place of repose. 

Some of the Americans who escaped from Q,uebec, retreated 
to Montreal. Col. Arnold, with difficulty retamed in service 
about four hundred, who hresfeng up their camp, retired sbou 
three miles from the city. Here Arnold and army went into 
winter quarters. Though much inferior to the enemy in num 
t>ers, they annoyed them exceedingly ; and preventing ail com 
25 



194 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MAIIS. 

mutiication with the country, reduced the city to great distress 
for want of provisions. 

Congress, on receiving information oflhis disaster nt Quebec, 
Uio 31st of Drcenibcr, dirc(te«l reiiiibrcejiicnts to b; sent to 
Canada. On the first of May, ' «cn. Thomas, who had been 
apjwinUid to succeed Gen. Montgomery, airivod from the camp 
at Roxbmy. Small detachments after the Lst of March joined 
Col. Arnold's army, which, when reviewed by Gen. Thomas on 
the 1st of May, amounted to less than (wo thousand men, of 
whom not one half were fit for service, 

A. council of war was lield, which determined it expedient 
to take a more defensible position higher up the St. Lawrence. 
To this decision (hey were led by a supposition that the ice must 
soon leave the riv(rr, and that a reinforcement from England 
must of course be expected to relieve the city. The next mom- 
ning, while the Americans were removing their sick, several 
ships appeared in sight, and sailed up to the harbor. A heavy 
reinforcement soon lauded ,ind entered the city. At one o'clock, 

Gov. Carlton made a sortie at the head of one thousand men, 
to which force Gen. Thomas could oppose but three hundred 
troops. Of course, all the stores anr many of the sick fell into 
the hands of the enemy. The prisoners were treated by Gov. 
Carlton with tenderness, and when restored to health, were as- 
sisted by this generous hearted enemy, to return home to their 
frieods, 

Here generous nature showed herself, 

Amidst the frowns of war ; 
This kind Samaritan himself 

Records I, is worth and virtues there. 
The first of principles on earth. 

Is pure bensv^lence and love ; 
Cerlt(»n's honor at his birth, 

Received the smiles of heaven above. 

The Americans retreated toSorel, where they were joined by 
several regiments, and where their worthy and respected com- 



REVOLUTIONARY SCKJiTES. 1S5 

mander dir.d of the small pox, mach lamented by his country. 
While patriotism and valor were in this section of the country 
unEuccGGsful, contending with superior force, the Amcricaiis 
sustained a heavy loss, resultin<v from cowardice i!i another. 

At a fort, called the Ceders, forty miles above Montreal, Col. 
Bedaii\'as stationed with four hundred men, and two pieces 
of cannon. Assembling a force of four Inmdred, mostly Indian 
warriors, Capt. Fost<!r, who commanded at Osvv'cefatchie, descen- 
ded the river to attack this post. Col. Bedell Icavinsr the com- 
mand of the fort with Ma'. IJutterfield, repaired to Montreal to 
obtain assistance. .Shortly after, Capt. Foster arrived, and inves- 
ted the place. He had no artillery, and in the course of two 
days, but one man was wounded. More successful than in 
arms, Capt. Foster intimated that if any of his Indians should 
be killed, it would be impossible for him to restrain their rage 
Irom a general massacre of the garrison. Intimidated by this, 
Maj. Butterfield, unworthy of the trust assigned him, and better 
fitted to command a flock of sheep than American soldiers, 
surrendered the fort without resistance ; stipulating only fdr 
baggage and lives. Col. Bedell resigned the command to Maj. 
Sherborne, who instantly marched to its relief. The day after 
the surrender of the fort, when within four miles of the place, 
ignorant of what had happened, he was met in ambush by a 
large body of Indians, when an obstinate and bloody battle en- 
sued. The slaughter was great; being disputed with valor for 
four hours, Ma> Sherborne was obliged to surrender to his 
merciless foe ; who, having several of their number killed, and 
one of their chiefs. being pierced by seven balls, determined to 
vent their rage on their defenseless prisoners. Accordingly, 
stripping them of their clothing, to their shirts and trowsers, 
drew them up in a line for a general massacre : which v/as only 
averted by the entreaties, tears and persuasions of that humane 
and tender-hearted British officer, Capt. Foster ; v/hose unavail- 
ing exertions for a long time made no impressions on the tiger 
nearted savages. While tears ran down his manly cheeks, h« 
-'xclaimed, -'That it was iinore tlian his mind could bear, or hi;; 



'196 AN AMERICAN FIELD OP MARS. 

eyes behold — such wanton destruction of his brave country- 
men luid lornier friends, only now at a little variance in war."' 
He finally ottered them, as his last resource, leave to strip the 
prisoners of the captured garrison. To this protier the savage 
furies assented tuid sp.iu-ed their lives. The whole loss ot tlu' 
Americans was at least five hundred. 

Gen. Sullivan, who was appointed to succeed Gen. Thomas 
on the first of June arrived at Sorel, where he tound four or 
five thousand men. 'i'hc enemy Wiis thirteen thousand strong. 
Commanding a force so decided by superior, Gov. Carlton press- 
ed forward in pursuit, while the Amoriciui army retreated reluc 
tiuitly before him. At St. Johns the pursuit ceased ; and (.Jen. 
Sullivan, in obedience to orders from Geji. Schuyler, continued 
his march to Crown-Point, at the head of Lake Champlftin. 

Thus terminated the unsuccessful expedition mto Canada. 
Its plan was bold and daring, with the numbers engaged in Us 
execution. In its progress were displayed, fortitude and una- 
vailing bravery, seldom read on the annals of history. Thf 
tragic death of Montgomery, on or near ilie fatal spot where 
'Gen. Wolfe and Monston of the British army, and Montcalm 
and Sencargus of the French corps, fell ou the field of battle, 
fought on Abruiiam's pUiins sbcteen years before, was irrepaira- 
ble. Its failure wjis a painful disappointment to the patriots of 
that day. But as our boundaries are extensive enough, without 
llie Gauadas, we may regret the failure only from the loss 
of life and property in this fruitless and desperate expedition. 



I 



CAMPAIGN OF 1775. 



Tlie trao^ic scenes of oppression, manifested by the British 
Parliament at this period, were plainly seen by her edicts, her 
stamp acts, and her repeated injustice, to abridge the rights of her 
colonies, which terminated in tlic Rev^olution of 1775. 

Soon another scene is opened, 

Oppression shows her horrid form ; 
PiDgli sh laws are tyrant's token. 

To bind the slave and rights disarm. 
( /bartered rights and sacred contracts. , 

Arc no guarantee to freedom ; 
Oppressive edicts, and a compact 

Ot Lords and Kings combined to seal them. 
Lords North and Bute, two great projectors 

Of oppression's hateful chains ; 
Stamp acts, and duties, seals and fetters, , 

Sent to suppress the rising fiames. y^ 

l\axatiou without legislation. 

Was the voice of Parliament ; 
Tyranny and rank oppression. 

Was by Britain forward sent. 
Freighted with threats tlie stygian baik^ 

Sailed from our mother cou)itry ; 
Her cargoes and demeanor marked 

The mandates of conspiracy. 
Oppression, slavery and death, 

These three great captains had command ; 
The ocean groaned at every breath. 

While pity raised her trembling hand, 
O, God! she cries, can this be true. 

Is this a fosterinsT mother's care — 



>198 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARC. 

Magare's form, the infernal crew, 

The feature of this mother wear. 
The elements seem hlack with roge, 

The dusky sky obscures the day ; 
Wliile clouds stands ready to engage, 

And join old Neptune in theatfray. 
Thiuidors await the dread comand, 

And winds, tiie onset to be given ; 
To drive tlie monsters from the land. 

Say! some Syreanian island driven. 
Borne western still she plowed the main, 

The rolling- waves in murmurs rose ; 
While nature felt a mother's pain, 

And sighed as she surveyed her foes. 
Minions of Britain, slaves at best, 

Wiio knew no i^ight but to obey ; 
Oppression's servants to oppress. 

The rights of North-America. 
Heaven saw the scene and straight did send, 

Old Vulcan with his bolts of thunder, 
To drive the monster to the land. 

Earth's terror and Earth's greatest wonder. 

'A BLOODY CONTEST BETWEEN MARS AND UR 

ERTY. 

When Jove drove the car of oppression ashoro. 

On Columbian's wild desert the sons ot the free- 
Recoiled at the monster, and roused at his roar. 

Determined to drive him from earth to the sea. 
Though fierce the encounter, and long the contest. 

Though dreadful the slaughter and darksome the day 
The heroes thatfouglit for the pride of the west, 

Flinched not at his thunder, nor turned for dismaf. 
'Old Mars marched forward, in brazen attire. 

And frowns on our fathers in visage severe. 



CONTEST BETWEEN MARB AND LIBERTY. ' 199 

Who met him, with thunderbolts forged in our fire, 

And stopped the old veternii in his wild career. 
His coura^^e is staggered and wild in commotion, 

He calls on the tyrant to aid his design ; 
While Washington fiew to his country's devotion, 

And vanquished his schemes by a power half diviae, 
Old England's brave veterans with conru^^e advance, 

Display all the dread that war can endure, 
Columbia's brave yankecs have taught them to dance 

To a tune from their drums that baffles all core, 
Independence unfurls her flag to the world, 

And calls on her sons to aid her design ; 
On high see her flag and her stars float unfurled, 

H.;r rights to defend 'gainst tyrants combined; 
She prays to the God of the armies above 

To aid in her cause, to support her just right ; 
Protection she claims as an heir of his love, 

While his name on her shield and her banner she writes, 
Her nam3 hath enkindled a pleasing desire, 

That spreads like the morn from the east to the west, 
'The tyrant has fled at the sound of hor lyre, 

To heal up his wounds through the loss of his gtiest 



POETICAL HISTORY 



Tkc Marseilles Hymn. 

""i'hc author of tliis celebrated production was Joseph Koiigot 
dc Lisle, born in the year 1760. He was the, nephew of J. S. 
Bnilly, IMayor of Paris, who was killed in a popular tumult. 
At the commencement of the French revolution, Rouget was 
stationed at Strasburg, as an officer of an engineer corps. At 
that time nothing but low, vulgar ballads were sung in praise 
of war. Rouget, being a man of talents, and a great enthusiast, 
was solicited to lurnish a war song. In a moment of enthusi- 
asm he retired to his chamber, and in one niyht produced tlic 
words of a piece which in every respect ai-e worthy of admira- 
tion. The eflfeot of this hymn, or march, in the army of the 
revolution, is well known. It fir^t appeared by the title ol 
'• rOfiraude a la Liberty :'■ but is universally known as tlio 
^Marseilles Hymn or March. The service of Rouget d? LisU- 
in the cause of liberty did not shield him from the persecution 
of the toryists. He fled to Germany. In Hamburg he had an 
mter\aew with the great poet Klopstock, who intimated that 
this hymn alone had caused the death of fifly thousand bravo 
Germans. 

Ye sons of Freedom ! wake to glory ! 

Hark ! hark ! what myriads bid you raise ! 
Your children, wives, and grandsires hoary — 

Rehold their tears and hear their cries ! 
^hall hateful tyrants, mischief breeding, 

"With hireling hosts, a ruffian band, 

Atlright and desolate our land. 
\\'l"ule peace and liberty lie bleeding? 



MARSEILLES MVMN. 20!. 

Td arms ! to arms ! ye brave ! 

The avenging sword unsheath ; 
March on ! marcli on ! all hearts resolved 
On victory or death. 

Jsow ! now, the dangerous storm is rolling, 

Which treacherous kings confederate raise ; 
The dogs of war, let loose, are howling, 

And, lo ! our iields and cities blaze. 
And shall we basely view the ruin, 

While lawless force, with guilty stride, 

Spread desolation fur and wide, 
With crimes and blood his hands imbruing? 
To arms ! to arms ! yc brave ! &c. 

\V ith luxury and pride surrounded, 

The vile, insatiate despots dare, 
'I'lieir thirst oi power and gold unbounded , 

To mete and vend the lighter, air. 
Like beasts of burden would they lead us, 

I.ike gods would bid their slaves adore ; 

]^ut man is man, and who is more ? 
Here shall they longer dare to goad us? 

To arms ! to arms ! ye brave ! &c. 

Oh. Liberty ! can man resign thee, 

Once having felt thy generous flame ? 
Can dungeons, bolts, or bars confine tliec ? 

Or whips thy noble spirit tame ? 
Too long the world hath wept, bewailing, 

'I'hat falsehood's dagger tyrants wield ; 

l)Ut freedom is our sword and shield, 
And all their arts are unavailing. 

To arms ! to arms I ye brave ! d:,c. 



26 



THE BRITISH DRAMA— CONTINUED 



At liexington the drama opens, 

Ninteenth of April, seventy-five ; 
Drums, muskets, cannon, are the token — 

To arms ! to arms ! my country cries. 
The sound of war rolls through the air. 

Earth groans beneath. In echo swells 
The rending elements afar 

With dying ^roans and savage yells. 
Blood stained tiie ground ; the woimd is deep. 

Arouse ! arouse ! my country calls ! 
■ Freemen ! to arms ! while widows weep. 

Fear not their cannon or their balls. 
Courage ! Minerva takes the field. 

To aid her sons with sword and lance ; 
While Juno, with her conquering shield, 

In foremost of our ranks advance. 
Freedom and liberty our motto ; 

Death to slavery is the cry — 
War, with all its dread and horror, 

We Americans defy. 

War's dread engines are in motion. 

Expresses fly by land and sea ; 
While every heai-t w^ith pure devotion, 

And pulse beat high, curse slavery. 
Gen.' Gage sees the commotion. 

Dangers are thickening day by day ; 
P«rfidious wretch, whose woi*ds and notioai 

All mark the tyrant in dismay. 
The tragic scene of Bunker's Hill, 

Fatal to thousands — ah ! the wound, 



BRITISH DRAMAo 205 

Like canker deepens, sure to kill, 

The world records the droadlul sound- ' 

Brave Warren fell ; his country mourns ; 

Charlestowii in flames ascends on high ; 
Smoke rolls in columns in angry forms, 

Home to the sovereign of the sky. 
While bombs and cannon shako the ground 

Convulsed nature deeply siyhed, 
And-death rolled echoing in tiie sound, 

While deep with blood the hill was dyed. 

War, dreadful scourge ! the tyrant's law. 

Death's monstrous engines to destroy, 
Where mothers, wives, an'd children saw 

Their all, their friends, in death's employ. 
To God for help each parent dear, 

Each child in veneration bow; 
The only hope when danger 's near, 

The only aid expected now. 
Jehovah saw the storm's advance, 

And heard thy prayers, America, 
While o'er thy fields the sword and lance 

Threatened thy future destiny. 
From Heaven's court an herald sent 

To our beloved Washington, 
Commissioned for the great event 

That time 's unfolded through her son. 
Though dead, yet lives his virtuous fame ; 

Ages shall ne'er obliterate 
The sage, the hero, and that name 

Which nature's God pronounces great 

Lo ! Washington the call obeys. 

Flies to his suffering country's aid; 
The tyrant and his strength defies, 

And all the laws by despots made. 



iU4'. AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

Like Cinciiinatus, famed on history, 

Rome's brave and virtuous citizen, 
Stauncli to thy cause, America, 

Was thy famed hero, Washington. 
War now an aspect did assume 

Of opposition to decrees, 
And British laws to chaos doom, 

While fleets ard armies cross the seas. 
Heaven saw a heavy storm a-gathering 

O'er her beloved Ariierica : 
Sighing nature agonizing, 

Calhng on the Deity. 
Oppression and an iron age, 

Hearts, marble grown, that tigers sucked ; 
Mad tyrants freemen's riglits engage. 

Humanity with terror sliook. 



Ai this critical period o{ our history our illustrious clikS 

GEORGE WASHINGTON, 

accejHcd the appointment of generalissimo of our arnues and 
look command. The lollOwing Hues,- written on the characitr 
of this illustrious personage, show liim the father, protector, am! 
deiender ot that liberty so highly prized at tlie present day by 
«'.ach true America. 

This sun of fair freedom that rose in bright lustre, 

Iticreased in etiulgcncc and set in the west, 
Who marshaled our forces and taught us to muster ; 
Fathers, tell to your children his worth in yom- story 

He lived to behold 

His country unfold 

Fair liberty's volume 

To the younof and the old ; 
Who fled from oppression and sought to be free, 
l!i an asylum plautcd by blest liberty. 



"LINES ON WASHINGTON. 20rs> 

Heaven's shield was his banner when dangers oppvcst, 

When death, blood and slau<rhtcr encrimsoned the ground, 
This hero, the glory and pride of the west, 
Gave tyrants a fatal, and despots a wound. 

A wound past all cure, 

Death stands at the door. 

And nionarchs all dread 

His embrace and power, 
They tremble, turn pale, shrink back, and exclaim. 
Wo grant your request and sanction your claim. 

Our Washington's I aurols shall flourish and grow. 

And spread forth it branches o'er slaveholding lands ; 
[ts cions transplanted and grafted in wo, 
Shall root out the tyrant and break his commands ; 

A wreath for the brave 

Who fought for the slave, 

A garland o( glory 

Tliat round them must wave. 
Shall spread lar and wide the nations to cheer, 
Who hate independence, and banish all fear. 

He planted our standard, and called forth to war 

Our bold hearted yeomen, who scorn to be slaves, 
To meet the bold strangers who came from afar. 
And ofler him freedom or find liim a grave. 

He defended our rights. 

And taught us to fight ; 

When tyrant's oppress. 

To rise in our might. 
And conquer or die, but never to yield, 
While life lends us aid to charge on the field. 

fie led forth our armies where slaughter and death 
Poured volleys of thunder from the loud belching cannon. 

Where the blood of the slain encrimsoned the earth 
And humbled the pride of the proud British minion. 



906 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

Thouofh dreadml the slauirhter 

Ami loiifjf the contest, 

Though doubtful the coullict 

Aifid darksome the day, 
The heroes that loui;:ht lor the pride ot' the M-est 
Flinclied not at its tliundersor turned for dismay. 

The contest decided, witfi victory crowned, 

IndejxMidence secure, we rejoice in its sway; 
Peace spreads her bahny, mild iuHuence around, 
While triumph is wrote on the blaze of the day. 

Earth's sons shall rejoice, 

While Washiuii^ton's voice, 

Proclaiminii: peace, 

Shall gain an increase. 
On the swell oftlie echo, which spreads as it rolls, 
And fills up all space between eartii and tiie ^^olcs. 

When called by the voice of liis country, he came 

To set in her councils and govern her helm, 
With reluctance he yields to comply with hev claim. 
To quit his retiremtMit for the good o{ the realm. 

A father, a son, 

Beloved all in one, 

A husband, a friend, 

Abroad and at home ; 
flis worth stands confessed, acknowledged hia fame, 
A greater to rival, we can't find a name. 

He 's called to the chamber of the couticils above. 

To receive his reward and a crown of bright color. 
To share with the angels in that perfect love 

That smiles in the morn from the charms of Aurora 

In the mansions of bliss 

Our Washington rests, 

A robe of 'salvation 

Composes his vest. 
While pleasing sensations awaken his mind, 
To reflect on the good he lias done for mankind. 



WASHINGTON'S ADDRESS 

To the Army of the United States, on taking the c«m 
jiiand at Jioxburi/, near Ihslon, 1775. 



When freedom midst the hattle's rage, 

Sat on the towers of fame, 
And saw her heroes fierce engaged 

With curs'd oppression's train ; 
Amid the ranks, beneath the smoke, 

Great Wasliinoton appears ; 
Whose presence to iiis army spoke, 

And biinislud all their fears. 
hi arms defend ; your country bleeds, 

Our hero loud exclaims, 
Heroic valor tells its needs — 

Of British power complains. 
Your wives, your children, and your friends, 

Earth's dearest treasures call, 
Unsheath the sword, our homes depend, 

On, bayonet, sword, and ball. 
Spurn, sj)urn the tyrant and his laws, 

Bo.gencrous. brave, and free ; 
Protecting heaven will aid our cause, 

And guard our liberty. 
Tliy Hag, the gems of ether grace, 

Tile glowing stars adorn, 
lUumiiu d biinner of a race 

That all oppression scorn. 
Go, tell th(; world that freedom waves 

Her banner, decked with stars. 
Where westxn-n suns in splendor's blaze. 

Blasts all the plans of Mars. 



iOS AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

Be J List, be brave, and let thy name, 

Henceforth Gohniibia be. 
Rank honor wiih tliy growing fame, 

As heirs of hborty. 
Maintain your cause, Columbia's sons, 

Brare W;ishington exclaims, 
March lorward with your swords and guns. 
Charge, charge the foe who vaunting comes. 

Exulting o'er tlie plains, 
lie said, and lo, the stars of night 

Forth to our baiuiers flew, 
And morn with pencil dipt in light, 
Her blushes on it drew. 

Columbia's chieftain siezcd the prize, 
And gloriously unfurled ; 

Soared with it to his native skies, 
And waved it o'er the world. 

The nations of the earth behold 
A wonder spread on high, 

Where freedom all her laws unfold 
Her banner shrouds the sky. 

Mankind may view an ensign tlierc. 
Of all that 's grand, sublime. 

Illustrious emblem, in a star 
That at our birth day shined, 

As Bethlehehn s synibol oi a birth, 
That marked the shepherd's way 

To where the Saviour of the earth 
hi a lone manger lay. 

An int'ant found, a jubilee 
Rang through etherial space, 

Angels announce to earth tlie day, 
\uspicious to our race. 

So shall tlie stcurs that radient glowed 
On IndejH'tidence morn, 

Point to the dwelling of a God, 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 209 

'Tliat splendid robes adorn. 

Our Washington those stars displayed, 
An agent sent from heaven ; 

A second Saviour points the way, 
On freedom's tiag we hail the day. 

That rose to illume America ; 
With all that's grand and nobly great, 

That God Almighty can create. 



THE VARIOUS SCENES OF THE REVOLUTION, 

Continued. 

War's tragic scenes, defeat and slaught^ 

On the echo daily sound, 
Quebec records a sad disaster, 

]\lontgomery fell ; earth felt the wound. 
The world hath lost a worthy son, 

His memory long as time shall live ; 
His virtues dwell on every tongue. 

And life to him a tribute give. 
His loss, America must mourn ; 

Recorded on her annals fame, 
His fate decides the fatal morn 

Of many a son in battle slaiiu 
dnebec, the victor, cost us dear, 

A second Gibralter stands, 
Our gallant army suJfFered here 

From hostile foes and savage bands. 
Heroic valor ought to ^cherish . 

Liberty's illustrious pages. 
And the names of those who perish, 

Swell the breast of freedom's sages. 



210 Atf AMERICAi* FIELD OF MARS. 

/ shall here insert a short ditty, written by a wounded 
British Soldier. 

'Twas seventy-five, that fatal year,. 

As by our records doth a])pear, 

When we set sail for America; 

'Twas on the fourteenth day of May, . 

'Twas on a dark and doleful time 

When we set sail for the northern line. 

Our drums did beat and trumpets sound, 

And unto Boston we were bound. 

Then straight to Boston we did come, 

They dread to hear our British drum ; 

'Twas to drive these rebels from that place, 

And fill their hearts, with sore disgrace ; 

But to our wo and sad surprise, 

We saw them like grasshoppers rise ; 

They fought like heroes much enraged, 

Which sorely frighted General Gage. 

We sailed' to York, as you've been told, 

With the loss of nuiny a Briton bold ; 
'Twas to make those rebels own tileir King, 
And daily tribute to him bring. 
Li York we many a traitor foimd, 
False to the state where they belonged ; 
They told us we could win the day, 
There was no danger they did say ; 
They told us 'twas a garden place, 
And that our armies might with ease 
Burn down their town, la}-- waste their lands, 
Li spite of all their boasting bands. 
A garden place it wtis indeed'; 
And in it we found many a bitter weed, 
Which did pull down our highest hope, 
And solely wound our British troop. 
Twas September, the nineteenth day 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 211 

Since we arrived in America ; 

'Tvvas fifteen thousand brave boys slain.. 

Bold British heroes, on the plain. 

Now I've received a mortal wouikI 

I must bid adieu to old England ground : 

My wife and children mourn (or me 

While I lie cold in America. 

Fight on, fight on, ^'•ou American boys, 

Fear not our British thundermg noise ; 

Maintain your rights, from year to year. 

«;iod 's on your side, you need not fear ; . 

The glory of old England's isle 

Is now eclipsed for a while ; 

It will shine again m meridian year, . 

Because our King is most severe ; 

Ilis crown will fade most certainly, 

A reward for all his cruelty ; 

America shall her rights maintain, 

While proud old England, sinks, in siiamc. , 



CAMPAIGN OF 1776. 



Ontlie evening of the 4th of Marcli, 1776, the attention of 
the enemy being diverted by a brisk cannonade to a different 
quarter, a party of troops under Gen. Thomas took possession, 
in silence, of Dorchester Heights, and with equal industry and 
zeal erected a line of fortifications that completely commanded 
the town and harbor. Tlie view of this prospect of American 
perseverance, raised from the earth in the niirht, and ready at 
break of day, like some hidden volcano, to disgorge its fiery 
entrails on an astonished soldiery, who stood at its base, view- 
ing its summit, like Pliny, to see its flames issue with sulphur- 
ous fury from its bowels, made terrible by leaden and iron 
shafts of death. At a sight so formidable. Gen. Howe stood 
aghast, and trembled for the fate of his royal master's cause. 
He saw that he must cither immediately dislodge the Americans 
or evacuate the town. The next day lie ordered three thousand j 
men to embark in boats and proceed by way of Castle Island to 
the American works on the Heights, A furious storm dispers- 
ed them ; the fortifications in the mean time were rendered too 
strong to be forced, and Gen. Howe was obliged to seek safety 
by an immediate departure with the British army from Boston. 
Of the determination of Gen. Howe to evacuate Boston, Gen. 
Washington was fully advised. The event being certain, he 
did not wish by an attack to hasten it, as the fortifications at 
New- York, to which it was presumed they would repair, were 
not in sufficient readiness to receive them. 

The embarkation was made the 17th of March ; a few days 
after the whole fleet set sail, and the Americans hastened by 
divisions to New- York. Thus was Boston freed from tlic 
nuisance that prostrated their liberties and trampled on the dig- 
nities of freemen ; and no sanctuary w\is afterwards found iu 



REVOLHTTIONARY SCENES. 21S 

^lassachusetts for tlie unhallowed feet of invaders. The de- 
parture of the royal troops from the town occasioned great 
rejoicing. The thanks of Congress were voted to Gen. Wash- 
ington and army for their spirited conduct. A gold medal was 
struck commemorative of the event. Gen. Howe and army 
steered for Halifax, instead of invading New- York, having on 
board a large nmnber of tories and their baggage, who chose 
to seek safety in a foreign land, rather than join their friends at 
home. The last humble petition of Congress to the king was 
presented by Mr. Penn, the late governor of Pennsylvania. A 
few da^j-s after he was told by the minister that no answer 
would be made to it. The haughty spirit which dictated the 
reply pervaded both houses of Parliament. 

In December, a law was passed amounting to a declaration 
of war with her colonies. A treaty was made with the Land- 
grave of Hesse Cassel, and other German princes, hiring of 
them seventeen thousand troops, for whom the British govern- 
ment agreed to pay a stipulated sum per head for every soldier 
that was either killed, deserted, or did not return. Thus reader 
the despot's iron kuv, sells, kidnaps, and traffics in subjects to 
foreigners, to aid in the butchery of their o^vn citizens, for 
claiming the right of British born subjects. And in addition 
to this mercenary force, it was determined to send to America 
tv>^enty-live thousand British soldiers. In the mean time, Gov. 
Carlton made great exertions for this campaign. The British 
troops were in great force about Montreal and St. Johns, and as 
the command of the lakes would be of great service, and high- 
ly essential to his advance, and having no shipping on these 
waters, he with indefatigable industry and perseverance, con- 
tructed a powerlul fleet, the materials of which he transported 
considerable distance over land. He afterwards dragged up 
le rapids of St. Therese and St. Johns, tliirty long boats, a 
umber of flat bottomed boats of considerable burden, a gondo- 
i weighing thirty tons, and about four hundred batteaux. This 
imense work was accomplished in less than three months, as 
by magic, G.en. JLrnold saw on the lakes, the beginning of 



2['i AN ARTETRTCA-N FIELD OP TMARB. 

October, a fleet consisting of the ship Inflexible, carrying eigh- 
teen twelve pounders ; one schooner, mounting fourteen, and 
nnd another, twelve six pounders ; a flat bottomed radeau carry- 
in? six twenty-four, and six twelve pounders besides howitzers ; 
.Mid a gondola carrying seven nine pounders. Twenty smaller 
\-ossels, under the denomination of gun boats, carried brass 
field pieces, from nine to twenty-four pounders, or were arme<l 
with howitzers. Some long boats were furnished in the same 
manner, and about an equal number of large boats acted as 
tenders. This formidable fleet navigated by seven hundred 
jnimc seamen, on board of which was Gen. Carlton himself, 
was conducted by Capt. Pringle, and the guns served by exp<> 
ricnced artillerists. It proceeded immediately in quest of Ar- 
nold, who was found, on the 11th of October, very advanta- 
geously posted, and forming a strong line to defend the passage 
let ween the island of Yalicour, and the western main. 

Notwithstanding the disparity of force, a warm action ensued. 
,\n unfavourable wind kept the Inflexible, and some others of 
the largest vessels of the hostile fleet, at too great a distance to 
lender any service. This fortunate cirumstance enabled Ar- 
nold to keep up the Gngagement for several hours. Towards 
night, the English commander thought it advisable to discontin- 
ue the action; and the whole fleet was anchored in aline as 
near the vessels of the adversary as it could be brought, for the 
1 urpose of preventing their escape. In this engagement, the 

New-Jersey — Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis 
Ix-st schoo-ner belonging to the American flotilla was burnt, and 
a gondola carrying three or four guns was sunk. 

The best culogium which can be bestowed on the conduct ol 
the Americans in this aflair is, that, notwithstanding their in- 
leriority of force, they were not defeated, though the enemy 
si)oke with great praise of the conduct of their own officers and 
men. 

Finding it impossible to renew the action next day, Arnold 
made his escape in the night, in the hopes of reaching Ticondc- 
Htga, and being sheltered under the guns of the fort. The wind 
being favorable, he was, the next morning out of sight. An im- 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. ^15 

mediate pursuit was made, and, about noon, he was overtaken, 
and brought to action, a few leagues short of Crown-Point. 

He- kept up a warm engagement for about two hours, in the 
course of whicii, those vessels which were most ahead, pushed 
on With the utmost speed, and passing Crown-Point, escaped to 
Ticondeiog.-u Two galleys and five gondolas which remained, 
made a desperate resistance. One of them, the Washington, 
having on board the second in command, at length struck, and 
was taken. Unable longer to maintain the action, and determin- 
ed not to fall into the hands of the enemy, Arnold ran the re- 
maining vessels on shore, in such a maimer as to land their crews 
ti safety ; after which, he blew them up, and saved his men, m 
spite of the efforts made to prevent both. 

This defeat did not dispirit the Americans, nor diminish the 
reputation of Arnold. The galjant resistance he had mad*- 
Avith such inferiority of force; 1 us having, when defeated, saved 
his men, and prevented his vessels from falling into the hands of 
his enemy, were consoling circumstances, which were consic^crod 
as deducting something from the loss of the lakes. 

On the approach of the British army, a small detachmtnit 
which h.idbeen stationed at Crov^-n-Point as an out-post, set fire 
to the houses, evacuated the place, and retired to Ticondcroga, 
which it was determined to defend to the last extremity. 

Gen. Carlton took possession of Crown-Point, and advanc* d* 
.'i part of his fleet into Lake George, within viev%'- of Ticondero«a. 
His army also approached that place, as if designing t0 lay siegtv 
to it. 

The ijarrison amounted to between eiglit and nine tlK)us.^nd' 
men. Care had been taken to lay in a sufiicient stock of 
provisions, and to strengthen the works very considerably. Ap- 
plication was made to Gen. Washington for directions to call in 
a reinforcement of miUtia. Tiiat officer had sm;u-tcd so severe- 
ly for depending on essential aid from this source, that Ids o[iin- 
ion was against the measure, unless the regulars should be. 
absolutely insufficient for the defence of tho works. lie conc«'i v - 
ed that, if he was not misinformed respectini^^ the strength ol'the 



216 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

northern army, it might certainly maintain Ticondcrosfa until 
the rigor ot the season, imd the freezing ot* the lake, should com- 
]Hi\ the besieging army to retire into Canada Jbr winter quar- 
ters. Ill the meantime, he recommended the securing of all the 
cattle and horses in the coimtry behind them, in order to deprive 
tlie British army, if it should slip by Ticonderoga, of the means 
of conveying tiieir artillery, military stores, and baggage ; or o( 
subsisting tiiemselvcs. 

Thesj considerations seemed to have weighed also wilh the 
l-jUglisii general. After reconnoitering the works, and observing 
the steady countenance of the garrison, he thought it too late in 
the season to derive any solid advantages from laying siege to 
the lortress this campaign, and therefore re-embarked his army 
and returned to Canada, where he placed it in winter quarters 
as commodiously as the country would admit ; making the Isle 
Aux Noix his most advanced post. 

Gov. Carlton s conduct in not attacking Ticonderoga, and 
not making further advances on the lakes was censured by some, 
hut rather unjustly. This retreat relieved the apprehension.-* 
of America from this (juarter, for the present. 

Attach on iS'ullivans Island. 

lu the beginning of 1776, Sir Peter Parker and twenty-five 
hundred troops, commanded by Lord Cornwallis, were dispatch- 
ed to try the event of war aijainst the southern colonies; a di- 
vision of the Hessian army having arrived, on the 1st of May 
yir Peter Parker appeared on the coast of North-Carolina, wher o 
Sir Heiiry Clinton arrived about the same time from New- York 
and took command of the army. Generals Clinton and Corn- 
wallis prepared ibr an attack on Charleston, South- Carolina,, 
while the .shipj)ing, on the 28ih of June, nine in niunber, carry- 
ing two hundred and eighty guns, commenced a furious attack 
on Sullivan Island, a strong fortress situated in the entrance of 
tlie harbor, from which shipping coming up to the city can be 
gujatly annoyed. On, hearing oi the appoach of the enemy, 



RVOLUTIONAltY SCKNKS. 21T 

the garrison and town were put in the best posture of dieience. 
The streets of Charleston were strongly barricaded, and lin«»s 
of defence extended to the water's edge ; the militia were called 
in to defend the capital. The summons was promptly obeyed, 
and from five to six thousand troops instantly assembled. Gen. 
liCe, an officer high in reputation was sent from New- York to 
command this heroic enterprise. Under him were Cols. Gads- 
den, Moultrie and Thompson. The fort was garrisoned by a- 
')outfour hundred men, under command of Col. Moultrie. At 
lie same time, a detachment was landed on an adjoining Island, 
vvith directions to cross over where the sea was supposed to Ije 
brdable. and attack the fort in tlie rear. The heavy and inces- 
sant fire was met by equally as powerful a one from tlie fort, 
Arith huzzah ! your best respects to the commodore. The ele- 
iients seemed one continued roar of thunder, while the fort 
md shipping appeared one continued sheet of flame and roll- 
ag smoke. Many of the ships suffered severely, particularly 
he Bristol, the Commodore, being twice in flames from red hot 
hot; her captain killed, and so dreadful the slaughter, that at 
me time the Commodore was the only person on the deck tliat 
i-emained unhurt. Gen. Lee in the heat of the action visited 
the fort ; the enthusiasm displayed, and energy manifested was 
highly pleasing to Lee. Nothing seemed to quench the ardor 
and spirit of the troops ; death had lost its power, and terror 
^vas hushed in the thunder of battle, and flames of its volcano. 
Soldiers mortally wounded exhorted their companions never to 
abandon tlie cause of liberty ; "I die," said serjeant Mc Donald 
in ills last moments, "for a glorious cause, but I hope it will not 
die with me." The battle between the fleet and the fort contin- 
ued till dark, whea the British, crippled, disabled, and dread- 
tully cut to pieces, drew off in the night and received the land 
forces on board, and shortly set sail for New- York ; where the 
whole British force was ordered to assemble. 

The killed and wounded on the par,ti0f the enemy amounted 
to near two hundred; that of the Americans, tp ten, lulled and 
twenty-two wounded. Great praise was due tO' Col: Moultrie 
28 



21B AN AJfrERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

and garrison. Congress returned their thanks for their spirited 
conduct ; wliile the country and historian will ever remember 
this consecrated spot, and the gallantry of our brave sons in 
arms. 

This Isle hath stood tlie test of time. 

Of cannon, ball and powder — 
Which British ships in number nine, 

Tried all their strength to founder. 
While Yankee balls salute the guest 

With dread, amaze and wonder ; 
Sir Peter gave up the contest, 

And lied from Yankee thunder, 
Which fiercely bellowed on his rear, 

Like Milton's stunned angels ; 
While war's hoarse clamor met his ear 

And all his plans entangles. 

Soon after this event. Congress issued a proclamation, dated 
Philadelphia, -Ith July, 1776, declaring to the world her deter- 
mination to support her independence, and claim the rank of a 
nation amongst the principalities of the earth ; absolving all 
allegiance to Great Britain, and shewing the cause. 

On /he Declaration of 'Independence. 

On the 8th of June, J77&, Richard Henry Lee, one of the 
deputies from Viroinia, arose in Congress, and made a motion to 
declare the colonics h'ce and independent. 

Jlr. Lee addressed the house on this motion, and concluded 
as Ibllows : '-Why then, do we longer delay, why still deliber- 
ate? Let this most happy day give birth to the American Re- 
public. Let her arise, not, to devastate and conquer, but to re- 
establish the reign of peace and of the laws. The eyes of 
Europe are upon us ; she demands of us a living example of 
freedom, that may contrast by th(; felicity of its citizens, with 
the ever increasing tyranny that has desolated her polluted 



iIlEV0i;UTIONARY SCENES. 219 

sliores. She invites us to prepare an asylum, where the unhap- 
py may find solace, and the persecuted repose. She entreats us 
to cuhivate a propitious soil, where the generous plant thttt first 
sprang- up and grew in England, and is now withering under 
Uie poisonous blast of Scottish tyranay, may revive and flourish, 
sheltered under the banner of freedom, and salubrious and verdantj 
•shade of tlie American wilderness ; a hojue, an abode for the 
unfortunate of the human race." 

As the mind of all the colonies was not fully settled on that 
important point ; it vv^as thought prudent to postpone the decision 
till the 1st of .Tuly following. A committee was appointed too 
draft a declaration of Independence, consisting of the following 
gentlemen — John Adams, Dr. Benjamin Franklin, Robert Sher- 
man, and Robert R. Livingston. The committee met and unan- 
imously solicited Mr. Thomas Jefferson, to prepare a draft of 
the declaration alone ; which he accepted, and drew as the sequal 
will tell. After two or three slight amendments, the committee 
unanimously approved of it, and on Friday, the 28th of June, 
layed it before Congress, when it was read and ordered to lie on 
the table. On Monday the 1st of July, agreeable to assignment, 
the houses resolved itself into a committee of the whole and re- 
sumed the consideration of the preliminaries of independence. 
It was debated through the day, and carried in the affirmative by 
the votes of New-Hampshire, Connecticut Massachusetts, Rhode- 
Island, New-Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina. Geor- 
gia-, South-Carolina and Permsylvania voted against it. Delaware 
had but two members, and they were divided. The delegates 
from New- York declared they were for it themselves, and were 
a.ssured their constituents were for it ; but that their instructions 
having been drawn nearly twelve months before, when rccon- 
ciliation was still the general object of desire, they were enjoined 
by them to do nething to impede .their utmost wish and desire. 
Tiiey therefore asked leave to wii;Iadraw from the question, tiU 
further instructed ; which was granted. 

In this state of things, the committee arose and reported their 
resolution tQ the Hquse, Mr. Edward Rutledge of South-Car-. 



280 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

olina, requested that the final result might be put off, till tlie 
next day, as he believed his colleagues, though they disapproved 
of the resolutions, would then join in it for the sake of unanimi- 
ty. The decision was accordingly postponed, till July 2d, when 
it was again moved ; and South Carolina voted for its adoption- 
(n the meantime, the third delegate arrived post haste, from Dela- 
ware, which turned the vote of that colony, in favor of the reso- 
lution. Members from !*ennsylvunia that morning, changed 
her voice in its favor, so that the whole twelve colonies who 
Avere authorized to vote at all, gave their unanimous voice- 
for its immediate adoption; which was carried into effect on 
the 4th, bidding defiance to the strong arm of oppression, and 
the usurped authority of tyrants, and their emissaries. 

July 9(h, New- York approved of the resolve. The debates 
were again renewed on the 2d. Warrnth and eloquence were 
displayed, both for and agamst. The magna charter of her 
birth day and liberties, inch by inch was its progress disputed. 
The whig ptuty, or revolutionists or tories, acrimoniously ani- 
madverted on almost every subjeet discussed. 

The debates were continued witii increased wramth through 
the second, third and fourth days of July, till the evening of the 
latter — the most important day, politically speaking, the world 
Juis ever witnessed — closing the great contest, liberty or death ; 
solemnising the event with an- appeal to Jehovah, for aid.sup- 
\x)Tt, and deliverance from the Jiard hand of oppression and the 
haughty frowns of a British Parliament. 



THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 

When ia tjle course of human events it becomes necessary for 
one people to dissolve the political bands that have connected 
tlicm with another, and to assume, amongst the powers of the 
tmrth that separate and equal station to which the laws of na- 
t^ure and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to tlie 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 221 

opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the cause 
which impels them to this separation. 

We hold these truths to be self-evident ; that all men were 
created equal ; that they are endowed by their creator with cer- 
tain unalienable rights ; that amongst these are life, liberty, and 
the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, govern- 
ment is instituted amongst men, deriving their just power from 
the consent of the governed ; that whenever any form of gov- 
ernment becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the 
people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new government, 
laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its pow- 
ers in such form as to them shall seem most likely to effect their 
safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that gov- 
ernments long established, should not be changed for light and 
transient causes ; and accordingly, all experience hath shown, 
that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are suffer- 
able, than to right themselves by abolishing those forms to 
which they have been long accustomed. But when a long 
train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same 
object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despot- 
ism, it is their right, their duty to throw off such government, 
and provide new guards for their future security. Such has 
been the patient suffering of these colonies, and such is now 
the necessity that constrains them tc» alter their former system 
of government. The history of the present king of Great 
Britain is the history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all 
having in direct object the establishment of absolute tyranny 
over these states. To prove this let the facts be stated to a can- 
did world. 

He has refused his assent to laws the most wholesome and 
necessary for the public good. 

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate 
and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till 
his assent should be known. And when so suspended he hr.i 
iitterly neglected to attend to them. 

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of 
large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish 



222 AN AMEllICAN FIELD OF MAR3. 

the right of representation in the legislature ; a right inestima- 
ble to them, and formidable to tyrants only. 

lie has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, 
uncomfortable, and distant Ironi the depository of their public- 
records, for the sole purpose of fatigueing them into compliance 
with his measures. 

lie has dissolved representative houses rejieatedly, for oppos- 
ing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of tlte 
people. 

He has refused for a long time, after suoh dissolutions, to 
cause others to be elected, whereby the legislative powers, inca- 
pable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for 
their exercise ; the state remaining, in the mean time, exposed 
Jo all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions 
from within. 

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states, 
for that purposes obstructing' the laws of naturalization of for- 
eigners, refusing to pass others to encourage their emigration 
hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of land. 
He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing 
liis assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers. 

He has made judges dependent on his will alone for the ten- 
ure of their offices, and the amount, and payment of their 
salaries. 

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent swarnia 
o-f officers to harrass and eat up our substance. 

He has kept amongst us in time of peace, standing armies 
without the consent of our legislatures. 

He has affected to render the military independent of,, and 
.superior to, the civil power. 

He has combined with others to subjugate us to a jurisdiction 
loreign to our constitution, and unauthorised by our laws, giv- 
ing his assent to their acts of pretended legislation. 

F^or quartering large bodies of 'armed troops amongst us. 
For protecting them, by mock trials, from punishment for 
murders which they should commit oa the inhabitants of these 
.sttjtes. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 223- 

For cutting off our trade with all parts-of the world. 

For imposing taxes on us without^ our consent. 

For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefit of trial by jury.. 

For transporting us beyond the seas, to be tried for pretended. 
ofTences. 

For abolishing the free system of English laws, in a neigli- 
boring province ; establishing therein an arbitrary government 
and enlarging its boundaries, so as to render it at once an exam- 
ple and a fit instrument for introducing the same absolute 
.'ule into these colonies. 

For taking away our charters; abolishing our most valuable 
laws, and altering, fundamentally, the form of our government, 

For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themslves 
vested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. 

He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his 
protection, and waging war against us. 

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our 
towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. 

Me is at this time transporting large armies of foreign merce- 
naries to complete the work of death, desolation and tyranny 
already begun, with circumstaiioes of cruelty and perfidy, scarce- 
ly paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy 
the head of a civilized nation. 

He has constrained our fellow-citizens taken captiw upon the 
high seas, to bear arras against their country ; to become the ex- 
ecutioners of their friends and. brethren, or fall themselves by 
their hands. 

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has en- 
deavored to bring upon us the inhabitants of our frontiers, the 
merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare is an 
indiscriminate destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions. 

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for 

redress in the most humble terms. Our repeated petitions have 

been answered by repeated injurieSi A prince whose character 

B thus marked by every act which.raay define a tyrant, is unfit 

9 rule a free people. 



224 AN AMERICAN (FIELD 'OP MARS. 

Nor have wc been wantincr in attention to our J>rilish breth- 
ren. We have warned them from time to lime of attempts by 
their legislature, to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over 
us. We have reminded thcni of the circunis'tances of our emi- 
gration and settlement here. Wc have appealed to their native 
justice and maj^ninimity ; and we have conjured them by the 
common tics of kindred, to disavow these usurpations, which 
would inevitably interrupt our connection and correspondence. 
They to have been deal to the voice of justice and consanquin- 
ity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity which 
demands our separation, and hold them as we hold the rest of 
mankind, cneinics in war — in peace, friends. 

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of 
America, in Congress assembled — appealing to the supreme 
Kuler of the universe for the rectitude of our intentions — do, in 
the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colo- 
nies, solemuly publish and declare that these colonies are, and 
of right ought to be, free and independent states : that they are 
absolved from all allegiance to the British crown: and that all 
political connection between them and the states of Great 
Britain, is, and ought to be, totally dissolved ; and that, as frw 
and independent states, we have power to wage war, conclude 
peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and do all other 
acts and things which independent states may of right do. 
And, for the support ot this declaration, with a firm reliance on 
the protection of Jehovah, we mutually pledge to each other 
'our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. 
.JOHN HANCOCK. 

New-Hampshire — Josiali Bartlett, William Whipple, Mat. 
Thorington. 

Massnchu><ctts—^Kva\\G\ Adams, John Adams, Robert T., 
Paine, Eldrige Gerry. 

Rhode-Island — Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery. 

Connecticut— Ro^ex Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William 
Williams, Oliver Wolcott. 

New York — William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lexris, 
Lewis Morris. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 225 

New-Jersey — Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Franci 
Hopkins, John Hart, Abraham Clark. s 

Pennsylvania — Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin 
FrankUn, .Tohn Morton, George Clymcr, James Smith, George 
T aylor, James Wilson, Gcorg-e Ross. 

Delaware — CiKsar Rodney, George Reed, Thomas McKean. 

Maryland—Sm'\\\\Q\ Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone 
Charles Carroll, of Carrolton. 

Virginia — George Wythe, Richord Henry Lee, Thomas Jef- 
ferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Francis Lightfoot 
Lee, Carter Eraxton. 

North-Carolina — William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn 

South-Carolina — Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward Jan., 
Thomas Lynch, jun., Ardiur Middleton. 

Georgia — Barton Gvvinnet, Lyman Hall, George Walton 

In Con(;ress, July 4, 1776. 
Tliis event took place two hundred and ciglity-four years after 
the discovery of America, by Christopher Columbus, one hun- 
<lred and sixty years from the first actual settlement in Virginia, 
and one hundred and sixty-six years h'om the first settlement 
in Plymouth and Massachuf:etts. 

Soon alter the declaration of independence, Gen. Howe arri- 
ved with a powerful naval force in the harbor ol New- York ; 
and landed an army of twenty-four thousand troops on Staten 
Lsland, abundantly supplied with all the munitions of death, to 
work out their own destruction in destroying others. From this 
pf3int Gen. Howe could diverge to any position most condusi\ e 
to the success of his master's cause. 

Gen. Washington was then in New- York with about thirteen 
thousand men, in and about the city. Presuming that Brook- 
lyn, on Long-Island, would be Howe's first object, Washington 
strengthened it, and gave the command to Gen. Putnam, an 
officer bold, daring, and resolute. 

The Battle at Brooklyn^ Long-Island. 

On the 22d, Gen. Howe landed his army on the opposite sidx^ 
of Long-Island. The two armies were then within four miles 
29 



226 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

of each other ; between them was a range of high hills, over 
which passed three main roads. Care was taken by Gen. Put- 
nam to prevent surprise. Early on tlie morning of the 26th. a 
column of British troops advanced on the road leading to his 
right, and a body of Hessians on the centre road. To oppose 
these, Gen. Putnam detached most of the troops from the camp, 
which soon met the British advance, and a brisk skirmish en- 
sued. These movements were mere feints to deceive Gen. Put- 
nam, and divert his attention from the road leading to his left, 
on which Gen. Clinton was slowly advancing. The report of 
cannon gave the first intimation of the danger that was ap 
preaching on that road. Gen. Putnam ordered his troops to- 
hasten back to the camp, but ;Sir Henry Clinton met them, on 
the way and forced them back on the Hessians ; attacked in 
front and rear, they fought with bravery several severe skirmish- 
es, a number were killed, and many made prisoners. Several 
partias cut their way through the enemy and regained their 
camp, A bold and vigorous charge, made by the American 
Gen. Lord Sterling, at the head of the Maryland regiment, en- 
abled a large body of troops to escape. This regiment, fighting 
with desperate bravery, kept a force greatly superior to them 
engaged, till their comrades found safety in flight, and the few 
that rem.ained surrendered prisoners of war. The loss of the 
Americans in killed and wounded exceeded one thousand ; 
amot^g the prisoners were Gens. Sullivan, Sterling and Wood. 
Tiie total loss of the enemy was less than four hundred. The 
British army encamped that night before the American hues, 
and tlie next day erected a battery, v\^ithin six hundred yards of 
their left. While the battle was raging Gen. Washington pass- 
ed the sound to see what condition the camp was in. Here lie 
liad to witness the mortifying sight of the overpowering 
strength of his adversary, and the destruction of his best troops, 
without being in a condition to help them. Seeing no alterna- 
tive left bnt retreat, he determined to remove them to the city. 
The retreat was effected on the night of the 2Sth, with such 
«ecrecy and dispatch, that the last boats were beyond the reach 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 227 

of musket shot, before the enemy were aware of the movement. 
The City of Neiv- York Surrenders. 

About the middle of September, Gen. Washington, seeing the 
danger of being besieged in the city, removed his troops to 
Harlem heights. The British immediately entered the city 
and after a few days a fire broke out which consumed about 
one thousand houses. Gen. Washington, reflecting on the 
past, the inexperience of his troops, the enemy he had to contend 
with, and the distance thoy were from their resources, determin- 
ed to adopt a cautious mode of warfare, and wear out his antag- 
onist by repeated skirmishes, continual alarms and attacks, to 
inspire his troops with courage necessary for a more sanguina- 
ry contest at last. In a skirmish fought on the 6th of Septem- 
ber, that valuable officer. Col. Knowlton, was killed. But the 
balance of victory was decidedly in our favor, and served to 
inspire the troops with fresh courage. The loss was nearly 
equal. Gen. Washington had the pleasure to see the system 
he had adopted correct, the enemy dwindling and wasting away 
day by day, and no chance of retreating short ef three thousand 
miles distance. Gen. Howe found his antagonist too cautious 
to risk his fate in a general engagement on the field, and too 
strong to be engaged in intrenchments. 

In the beginning of October the movements of the enemy 
indicated an intention of gaining the rear of the Americans, 
and cutting off their communication with the eastern states. 
The American army quitted Harlem, and moved northward 
toward White Plains. Gen. Howe pursued, making several 
attempts to bring Washington to a decisive engagement, which 
he avoided by changing his position. A partial engagement 
was fought on the 28th of October, in vv^hich the loss was near- 
ly equal. Gen. Howe determined to return toward New- York, 
and attack forts Washington and Lee, situated opposite each 
other on the banks of the Hudson. 

These forts, commanding the river, were garrisoned by strong 
detachments. Fort Washington, commanded by Col. Magaw 



228 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

was garrisoned by twenty-seven hundred men. On the 16th 
of November, four divisions ol the royal army, led by their 
principal oHicers, attacked it in four dillerent quarters. Theso 
combined and rjpcr.tjd stacks at last su ceded; t:e ammunition 
of the garrison being nearly expended, and all the outi)osts driv- 
en in, the commander being a second time summoned, agreed 
to capitulate on honorable terms. This was the severest blow 
America had yet lelt. The British lost, in killed and wounded, 
nearly twelve hundred men. Fort Lee was immediately evac- 
uated, and the garrison joined Gen. Washington. Washington 
liad, previously, with one division ot the army, crossed over 
into New- Jersey, leaving the others, under Gen. Lee, near New- 
York. His forces, when augmented by the garrison from fort 
Lee, amounted to three thousand eircctive men, and these desti- 
tute of clothing, blankets, tents, and even utensils for cooking 
their provisions. Their first rendezvous was at Newark, but 
being closely pursued, he M'as compelled to retreat to Bruns- 
wick, to l^rinceton, to T-cnton, and linally across the Dela- 
ware into Pennsylvania; many times the enemy in pursuit 
was in sight of his rear guard. Small as his little army wag 
when he commenced his retreat, it diminished daily, the time 
of enlistment exj)iring, and no persuasions could induce them 
to stay longer; these were discouraging circumstances to our 
beloved and almost despairing chief But heaven left not her 
failhfid son ; amidst threatening calamities .she warded off ap- 
parent evil, and turned to the general good seeming disasters. 
Gen. Washington called on Gen. Lee to hasten to his assistance, 
but business, or other motives delayed his march ; he called on 
New- Jersey and Peimsylvania for militia, but none obeyed ; 
fear hung like a cloud over America, and presaged a doubtful 
ssue. In this dark and dreary hour Howe issued a royal pro- 
clamation, oil'ering pardon in his gr;u'ious master's name, to all 
who would submit to kneel to British laws and edicts. Th« 
exulting Ibc thought triumph certain; seeing and knowing thg 
situation of our army, they supposed the contest nearly or quito 
at an end ; many fear-struck cowards embraced the prolfered 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 229 

ofTcr, and joined tlu; royal standard, among these were Mr, 
Galloway and Allen who had been members of the continental 
Oon;^rcss. As the British army approached Philadelphia, Con- 
gress adjourned to Baltimore, having invested Gen. Washington 
with full power to wield the destinies of the nation, as to all 
concerns ralating to the war. Such unlimited authority found 
in Washington a second Cincinnatus. America found her con- 
fidence realized in her brave and virtuous son. To his energy, 
perseverance, prudence, and presence of mind, in fields of dan- 
ger, in the cabinet, and in every emergency demanding courage, 
America at the present day owes her glory and high rank a- 
mong the nations of the eartii. 

The day that Washington crossed the Delaware the British 
took possession of Rhode-Island. On the 13tli of December, 
Gen. liCe, wandering from his army, was taken prisoner. In 
the experience and talents of Lee the people reposed the utmost 
confidence, and considered his loss like that of an army. In its 
consequences, his capture was fortunate. The cammand of 
his division devolved on Gen. Sullivan, who soon marched to 
tlie relief of Washington, augmenting his army to nearly seven 
Uiousand men. The superiority of the enemy enabled them to 
laugh at our calamities, and call us rebels, almost subdued, and 
doubted not but that one more vigorous attack when they fell 
disposed to make it, would place in their power the remainder 
of our army, and completely subject the colonies to royal au- 
tliority and ministerial views. 

TrcnLon Taken. 

They rioted in robbery and plunder,and rejoiced in the antici- 
pated decision of the contest by a speedy and glorious triumph, 
till Washington, on Christmas eve, the 25th, recrossed the Del- 
aware, with the determmation to hazard all that remained, in 
one vigorous effort to restore confidence to the country, and 
achieve a victory over his exulting foe, now resting secure in 
the arms of imaginary salety. 

Putting himself at the head of two thousand four hundred 



230 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

men, he commenced his march in the evening, on a secret ex- 
pedition. About midnight his army crossed the Delaware, 
amidst a storm of hail and rain, while the ice in the river near- 
ly baffled all his skill in passing. Having landed safe on the 
Jersey shore, he marched directly for Trenton, where the Hes- 
sians, nine hundred in number, lay encamped ; about daylight 
llicy arrived within one mile of the town, when they were or- 
dered to halt and examine their arms and be ready for the at' 
tack. Then, advancing a picket guard near a mile from the 
camp, first gave the alarm. Firing a cannon they fled, 
and Washington pursued them at a quick step ; when thev 
arrived at their camp, the Hessians, in the greatest confusion, 
were collecting to parade, running in every direction, some 
without arms, others but half dressed, when the Americans open- 
ed their fire upon them, just awakened from the fumes of a 
Christmas eve. In fifteen minutes the whole army surrendered. 
Washington, v\^ithliis prisoners, immediately recrossed the Del- 
aware, and, having lost but nine men, returned to his camp. 

This sudden and severe blow awakened the enemy to more 
activity and vigilance. 

Lord Cornwall is, who had gone to New-York, and entrusted 
to inferior officers the task of fronting the war, on receiving this 
intelligence, instantly returned with additional troops, to regain 
the ground lost. He concentrated his force at Princeton. And 
soon after, Gen. Washington being joined by a body of militia 
from Pennsylvania, recrossed the Delaware and took post at 
Trenton. This ends the campaign of 1776. The spirit ot 
America seemed to revive, and the goddess of war to cheer the 
desponding to redoubled exertions. 



THE POETICAL NARRATIVE— CONTINUED. 



Gen. Gage finds Yankee treatment, 
► Rather too hard for him to face ; 
Returns to England with a statement 

Of his own and her disgrace. 
Falmouth through British mercies shares 

The fate of Norfolk history ; 
The flame began, spread flames afar^ 

O'er thy fair vales, America. 
Britain to aid her black design, 

To crush their illuminated shield ; 
'Vith German princes soon combine. 

In human traffic's bloody field. 
:jawless kidnappers, kings and princes, 
Engaged in slavery, death and war ; 
Nation's murders hath no fences. 

But diadems these monsters wear. 
Fourteen thousand German soldiers. 

Sold like bullocks from the stall, 
Hired — Americans to butcher, 

With sword, and spears, and carmon ball. 
War's grim companion, death and slaughter. 

Knows no honor but deceit, 
In human shape these monsters muster. 

Earth's greatest dread and greatest hate. 
The sun and all the hosts of heaven 

Stood mute and blitshed at royalty ; 
Engaged in all the sins forbidden 

By nature's laws and Deity. 
Lord Howe and army close invested 
In Boston — Yankees him salute ; 



232 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MAR3.. 

Bombs, rockets, balls his rights contested. 

And his claim with him dispute. 
Washington and Yankees press him, 

Closing round on every side ; 
Some royal plume of Howe to win, 

Minerva sports, and him defied. 

Gen. Hawe sailed from Bo^ion.. » 

Old Neptune to assist his master, 

Lends Howe his aid and bore away; 
This army — hero, sad disaster, 

To George and all who him obey. 
Old ocean groaned beneath the burden, 

A cumbrous load of knaves and slaves ; 
Human bulcherers hiredlo lighten 

Death's dread task a thousand ways. 
Glad to retreat toHaliilix, 

The British air once more to breathe ; 
He found his royal master's tax. 

Paid not by duties on his teas. 
i?alls and bomb-shells are the tribute, 

Yankee funds yield a supply , 
Paid to tyrants, and the afibbet 

Raises their effigy on high. 

Attack on Sullivan^ s Isle, 7icar Charleston South-CaroHna.. 

Sir Peter Parker and Corn wall is, 

Clinton and a numerous host ; 
On Charleston with relentless malice, 

South-Carolina's pride and boast, 
Bore down with British colors flying, 

Like blood-hounds bent on martial prey ; 
Sighing nature, sighed replying, 

Meet them boys with Yankee play.. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 

Sullivan's Isle salutes the stranger, 

With canister, grape and cannon ball ; 
Conflicting fire augments the danger, 

And red hot shot for fuel call. 
Twice Sir Peter's ship is in flames. 

While slaughter strewed his crimsoned decks, 
Her Captain killed, while head and brains 

Promiscuous lay, the fury checks. 
His decks swept clean, Sir Peter stood 

Alone, a mark, with gazing eyes ; 
While Yankee balls flew o'er the flood, 

And whistling filled him with surprise. 
This small volcanc! belching tliunder, 

Forged in Vulcan's shop of fame ; 
Sloped Sir Peter, filled with wonder, 

And drove his squadron to the main. 
The genius of America 

Saw war's grim tyrant mad with rage, 
Sent from our mother country 

The rijj:hts of freemen to enfjasre. 
She, her rights to independence, 

Claims from nature — all are free; 
Heaven's Supreme is her dependence, 

And her protection — Deity. 
Che bids defiance to oppression, 

The tyrant's rage and rattling chains; 
JLrid as an independent nation 

Asserts the freedom which she claims. 
Before the throne of sovereign grace, 

In presence of Jehovah swears 
Defiance to that murderous race. 

That diadem and scepter wears. 
Her complaint is lawless treatment, 

The rights of fi-eemen to destroy ; 
Chains and fetters are the payment 

Of kings, and all in their employ. 
30 



233 



884 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS, 

Independence hails the nation, 

Goddess of the angehc band, 
Declares her name, her rank and station 

And of our armies takes command. 

Joy filled the breast, her heroes flew to arms, 
Freedom the bosom of the soldier warms ; 
ilars at defiance our bold veterans dare. 
And face him armed with thunderbolts of war. 
Hail independence, was the echoing sound, 
Revibrating accents shook the ground ; 
Millions unborn shall celebrate the day. 
As time rolls on and mortals turn to clay. 
The despot's chains, oppression's wrathful power, 
The tyrant's strength, and high exalted tower, 
Shall bow prostrate at liberty's blest shrine. 
And all their pride, and pomp, and power resign. 
Old England's crime stained her religious name, 
And cast a shade on all her future fame ; 
George and his minions, ah ! 'tis sad to tell ! 
Joined in alliance with the powers of hell. 
Forgetful of laws human or divine, 
Of civilization, virtue and mankind. 
Turned back to savage of barbaric prey, 
And stained her honor in a savage way. 
Humanity must blush, and sigh and mourn 
At crimes so black, so cursed and forlorn ; 
Whose bare recital history feign would screen, 
And cast the sable shade of death between. 
The future page, and mad tyranic sway. 
That ruled Great-Britain on that fatal day. 
Allied with Indians, worse by far than they — 
For scalps of murdered infants see them pay. 
Torture and cruelty, seemed British sport. 
And wanton ravages their famed resort ; 
Sex, age, condition, which for mercy call, 
Lamenting cries was hoard in George's hall, 



RVOLtlTlONARY SCENES. 235 

iBut deaf to nature and humanity, 
This mother saw her children's hutchery ; 
Tiouses in flames, blood stained the savage path, 
The dymg (^roans, the last expiring gasp, 
Re-echoing heavens rolled back the solemn sound? 
Must tell to future ages, the dreadful wound. 
Heaven saw the deed, and issued her decree 
Against Great-Britain and her destiny, 
And aids our armies, with a sovereign hand, 
And of our soldiery takes the great command, 
Great-Britain shall her follies long bewail, 
Her sons lament, her children tell the tale. 
Her loss deplore, posterity unborn 
Must feel the wound, her folly laughed to scorn; 
She must atone for lawless cruelty. 
She must atone ibr savage butchery; 
The groans of widow's, and the orphan's cry, 
Mingles with tears, and call to God on high , 
To avenge their sufferings on the guilty foe, 
And drive the tyrant from the world below. 
The savagci yells, the war-whoop and the dance, 
The frantic gestures, tomahawk and lance. 
The ambush, nightly stealth, wolf-like devour 
Without mercy all within their power. 
Such was the foe, Great-Britain's cursed allies, 
Treacherous, insidious, stained with yellow dyes, 
Savage by nature, wild and fierce their mien, 
Innured by custom to each bloody scene. 

The arrival of G^ii. Howe — Battle of Flathush 

The next grand drama ofihistoric fame, 

Aroused America to martial flame ; 

Fired with resentment, determined to revenge 

Their country's wrongs, their children, wives and friends. 

Gen. Howe with martial pomp arrives, 

And war's huge castles float bef o e our eyes, 



286 AN AMERICAN FIKLD OF MA IIS. 

Englftiicl's proud banner waves in dusky air, 

And gathers all her forces lor the war. 

tiong-lsland soon a bloody story tells. 

The blood ot' thousands stained her sandy hills • 

Many a husband, father, brother dear, 

[iay weltering in their blood, and suffered here. 

The thundering cannon rolling cohniins of smoke, 

The realms of ether and old chaos shoolc, 

Wliile terror hovering in her sable form, 

Chills the cold iieart and fills it with alarm. 

Flatbush records a bloody tragedy, 

And tells her (iital story to this day; 

Posterity as they survey the ground, 

In fancy hear the cannon's awful sound. 

Victory decides the fortune of tlie day, 

for Britain's standard, and America 

Saw the staunch foes advance, with skill retreat, 

And leave the Isle, the muses rural seat. 

SHrrendcr of New- York — Fortx Washington arid Lee^ A* 

IGM, 177G. 

Rrave Washington and thirteen thousand men, 
Oppose the uivaders' and the tyrant's plan ; 
New- York their rendezvous, facing the flood, 
Where ' George's navy and his hireling brood 
Rode on the waves, exulting in th(^ name 
or cringing sycophants, and slavish fame. 
This British host drove on its martial plans. 
Oppression's chains, iis edicts and commands ; 
r^ew-York surrenders to the conquering foe, 
While British fimcy triumphed in the blow. 
Anticipation raised her lofty liead, 
And British pride with false delusions fed ; 
Exulting in the arms of victory. 
The certain conquest of America 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 237 

In vision played before the warriors' eyes, 

And p.'iints lier colors only to disguise. 

P'ort Wasiiington next felt the ruthful hand 

Of war's dread rnonarcli and her stern command^ 

Two thousand prisoners, drove before the car 

Of British power, by Mars the god of war — 

A heavy loss to freedom and her cause, 

But just emerging from the lion's jaws ; 

A heavy loss — Columbia felt the wound, 

While ether bore the solemn tidings round. 

Fort Lee next felt oppression's heavy hand, 

And to the loe yields a transfer, command ; 

The gai'iison escapes to tell the news, 

And on the themes of war consult and muse. 

Sad tidings swell the list on every gale, 

Loss after loss successive series hail, 

The lowering clouds and dusky air resound, 

Disasters heavy gathering thicken round; 

A powerfid nation both by land and sea, 

Resources vast our deadly enemy ; 

K.-tsh madness seems America's career. 

While our success depends on hope and fear — 

Trusting in God, whose justice rules mankind, 

To counteract the tyrant's mad design. 

The only source to which men can appeal 

When dangers threaten, with a press of sail. 

Mars and o[)pression, twins by birth and fame, 

War's two great captains of terrific aim, 

With crested fronts advance — defiance lowers 

In their bold aspect and terrific powers ; 

Old Neptune frowned, and all the gods of war, 

Ilelentless seemed destruction's cruel car ; 

The heavy clouds and dusky sky obscure, 

And all presage a gloomy, darksome hour; 

No cheering goddess of illustrious birth 

Appeared to brighten our bewildered path, 



238 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

IJiit one obscured and faintly glimmering star 
Shone through the cloud and twinkled, God is near> 
Success and victory, with the odds of fight, 
Now followed Britain, and pursued our flight ; 
Disastrous combats, our annals, records groan, 
Each swelling sound rolls on in solemn tone. 

Arnold's Defeat on Lake Cham plain. 

A heavy loss and death of many a son. 

On Lake Champlain a naval battle 's won ; 

Britain victorious — Arnold's wild career 

Cost us our fleet and many a brother dear. 

Our country poor, our age but infancy. 

Three millions to contend with tyranny 

And all the slaves their cursed gold could hire. 

And all the knaves that scarlet coats do M'ear, 

"NN'ith Indians, tories, an infernal crew 

That neither mercy or compassion knew. 

Tlie closing scenes of seventy-six appear 

To wear a gloom, freighted with hope and fear, 

To fix our fate in fetters and submission 

To kings, and lords, and dukes, and their condition. 

Our army dwindled to a feeble van, 

From twenty-five to scarce three thousand men ; 

This nature saw, the God of armies smiled, 

And sent old Nestor to assist his child; 

Of Herculean tasks chief engineer. 

To build and form a vast republic here. 

As counsellor to cur beloved son, 

A friend and aid to our brave Washington. 

The ebbing tide began once more to flow, 

The courage reanimate, the bos^m glow, 

Desponding hope to mount the pleading gale. 

And our forboding fears to hoist a sail. 

Ill-fated Lee reg.irdlcss of his trust, 

Is made a prisoner — let his fame be hushed. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES, 239 

(In blank oblivion's scrawled, forgotten page ; 
Unknown his faults, ambition, and his age. 
Discouraging disasters threaten hard, 
Press on our rear, our van enclose and guard ; 
The storm's huge features, armed with dire dismay, 
Spread sackcloth o'er the blazing orb of day. 

The Taking of the Hessians at Trenton. 

When winter's clouds rolled gloomy through the sky. 

And Sol's bright chariot dimly shone on high, 

Heaven looked propitious on America, 

And crowned her heroes with a victory. 

Here genius mounts the battlements of storm, 

And calms its rage, its furies half disarm. 

"When Sol withdrew, and sunk beneath the wave, 

And left the scenes of war to eastern gaze ; 

When storms tremendous howling o'er the land, 

Old ocean's roar the height of dread command, 

On Christmas eve, when all was lulled to sleep, 

Our Washington, whose faithful vigils keep 

Sacred to fame the cause of liberty, 

Called forth thy little band, America ! 

See thy brave sons, on winter's dreadful night, 

Fecrless encounter all the rage of fight, 

Like Hannibal surmount the towering Alps, 

And rise in triumph o'er the lion's whelps. 

The Delaware and ice they charged, and bore 

Their boats and barges to the eastern shore, 

Land about midnight, while the hail and rain 

From winter's arsenal deluged the plain. 

i iike Cleves on Ararat, so Washington 

Through storms and tempests marched with ceurage on 

To Trenton, where the foe in slumber lay, 

With fumes of Christmas and a holy day. 

Scarce had Aurora's blusli tinged eastern skies, 

And cast her purple blaze on mortal eyes, 



240 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

When Washington, though least expected near. 
Opened a fire upon the Hessians' rear. 
Security had hilled the foe to sleep ; 
The storm's loud bellows, hoarse resounding deep 
Swept o'er the frosty ground, seemed a presage 
Of safety, till our brave, heroic sage 
With claps of thunder and sulphurous flame 
Met their dull ears, in echo o'er the plain. 
Confusion seized the hireling's, and dismay 
Awoke with terror on returnnig day, 
While Yankee caimon closed upon their rear, 
And sulphurous lightning lit the lamp of fear ; 
Resounding echoes, groans of dying men. 
With shouts of victory, mingle in the strain, 
While rattling muskets shook the frosty ground, 
And death stood sending all his terrors round- 
Decides the fortune of tlie deadly fray, 
In lavor of thy sons, America ! 
Nine hundred prisoners is the trophy gained, 
Captives of war, set free from tyrant's chained ; 
Germans by birth, sold by their royal knaves 
For British gold, as mercenary slaves. 
Princes in power, blush ! nature loud complains ; 
Is this thy kindness to enslave in chains, 
And thus transfer your subjects? Look and see ! 
Rebellion lurks, and soon will transfer thee, 
Revolution's fire will reach your palaces, 
Nor stay its fury long as a tyrant lives. 
Thus ends the traijic scenes of seventy-six, 
Fatal to thousands— determination 's fixed — 
Washington victorious — America 
Sees hope desponding, crowned with victory. 



CAMPAIGN OF 1777. 



On the second of January, the greater part of the British ar- 
■'my marched for Trenton, to altack the Americans. In the 
nfternoon, near night, the enemy encamped near Washington, to 
await the decision of the next day's battle, now certain, as 
!Jornwallis thought. Lord Erskine, liis aid, advised to attack 
immediately, but Cornwallis' reply was, "his men were fatigued, 
and that he had so environed the old i'ox, he could not escape."' 
'' If," said Erskinc, "Washington is the general I take him to bo, 
we shall not iiud him here in the morning." After dark. Gen. 
Washington ordered ranges of :fires to b^ made of rail fehces, 
between the armies, and leaving men to keep up the fires, he 
silently marched off his army toward Princeton. His escape 
being wtiolly unknown to the British at day light, the drums 
beat to arms, the army paraded for battle, when lo ! as light un- 
barred the dusky east to enliven the cheerful return of day, no 
enemy was in sight; the ground evacuated, and nought re- 
mained but the smoking ruins of a long range of fires. Ersk- 
jne, addressing Cornwallis, said, "I told you of this." Too late 
he foimd his mistake realized. 

Decamping about midnight, Washington, by a circuitous 
route, gained the rear of his enemy, and at sun rise, the van of 
the Americans, met unexpectedly two British regiments. A 
sharp action commenced ; the former gave way; at this critcal 
jrmicture, when all was at stake, the commander led the main 
army to their support ; the enemy were routed and ficd. For- 
tunately, the hero of America, although exposed to both fires, 
and but a few yards distant from cither party, escaped unhurt. 
Washington, instead of pursuing the fugitives, pressed forward 
to Princeton, where one regiment ^df the enemy remained, part 
31 



^€2 An AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

oi' wfiom Siived themselves by a precipitate flight ; about tfirer 
hundred were taken prisoners, and more than one hundred 
were killed. The ^Vinerican loss was less, but Gen. Mercei 
and sareral vakiable officers were numbered witli the slain. 
Amonor the wounded, was Lieut. Monroe, afterwards President 
of the United States. 

Lord Cornwaliis, on the morning' after Washington's retreat, 
heard cannon, and "tlioughtit to be tliunder," as Thomas l^aine 
says, "although in the dead of winter," and was not undeceived 
till some horseaien came galloping down the road £uid informed 
him that Washington had attacked and taken Princeton. 

An American army, thus rising almost from the ashes of the 
Phcenix, in the heart of a cold winter, »ut-generaling British 
veterans, and in a few days taking twelve hundred prisoners, 
with as many stands of arms and all their baggage, besides kill- 
ing about two hundred, and filling the enemy with consterna- 
tioy, was an achievement equal to any of ancient or modern 
iame, Cornwaliis immediately left Trenton and retreated to 
I?runswick. The inhabitants resumed their courage, and gave 
full vent to their rage, which fear hud smothered ; took ample 
revenge for the insults they had siiiTered ; the enemy v/eredriv- 
tMi from all their posts in New- Jersey except Amboy and Bruns- 
wjck. The Americans went into winter quarters at Morris- 
town. 

The brilliant aehiovcmeuts at Trenton and Prineeton cheered 
tl)e desponding spirit of America, and placed her armies in a 
situation to renew theix career to glory and independence. Intel- 
ligciice of this event spread like lightning, and re-lit the expir- 
ing torch of liberty, while America resounded with praise to 
Washington «s the saviour and deliverer of his country. He 
was the theme of eulogy in Europe. Contrasting his caution 
auid impetuosity wlien advantage might be gained with little 
lioss, he may well be termed the Fabius of America, 

See heaven's protecting care, friendship and aid, 
In this event, plain to mankind displayed ; 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. ~ 243 

When all was care and dire despondency, 
An Almighty spoke and cheered Americrr, 
Sent down Minerva to our Washin.'jton, 
To assist our veterans in the work beg-un. 
Illumed with stars, ireedora and liberty. 
To raise a standard airainst tyranny. 
The spring- opened with a steadfast reliance on a Divine being 
for protection and aid in our ardent strag-gle for independence, 
(■ongress was deterzuined, and amidst defeat boldly declared 
their rights, and solcnuily pledged their lives in defence of a cause 
80 important to the future welfare of mankind and the growth 
;ind happiness of these united colonies. They exhibit no fear 
for the issue of the struggle, but vote to raise an army to face 
the danger of the present year ; being sensible that short inlist- 
rnents had been the principal cause of past misfortunes, they re- 
solved that the new levies should be raised for three years, or 
during the war, at the option of the individual inlisting. To 
defray charges, they made larg<j;^ emissions of paper money, and 
to evince their determination, they solemnly declared to the 
world that tiiey wonld listen to no terms of peace short of inde- 
penilcnce, or which sliould deprive other nations of a free trade 
to their ports. 

luiovving the deadly ei unity of France to Great Britain, they 
sent commissioners to that court with instructions to solicit u 
loan of money, a supply of munitions of v/ar, and an acknowl- 
edgement of the independence of these United States. These 
eommissioners were Doct. Franklin, Silas Dean and Arthur 
Lee. Doct. Franklin arrived in Paris in December. The cause 
for which he was an advocate, and his own great fame as a phi- 
losopher, procured for Franklin a flattering reception from all 
rarika of people. The popular topic of conversation turned on 
America, her struggle for independence, her perseveranc*, her 
future growth and fame, and her tyrannical oppressors. The 
^rerument of France was secretly friendly to our cause. 
Tlxe French minister suffered arms to be taken from the arse- 
liali and conveyad to the United States. They connived ct 



244 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

the sale, in the West Indies, and even in the ports of France, of 
prizes taken by American privateers. The value of these prizes 
taken in 1776, was calculated at $5,000,000, far exceeding the 
captures made by the British during the same time. 

So popular was the cause of the United States, and so exalted 
the character of their commander-in chief, that many French 
officers volunteered their services to aid in the struggle for lib- 
erty. Amongst these was the young Marquis de la Fayette, 
most conspicuoiJs for rank, with the most heroic ardor and 
enthusiasm in the great cause of freedom and liberty, which 
distinguished this noble philanthropist in every stage of his 
long and useful life. At an early hour lie communicated his 
wish to the American agents to join the republican armies. 
They at first encouraged his zeal, but learning the situation of 
their country and her distresses, they with honorable frankness 
informed him that they were so destitute of funds, that they 
could not provide for his passage across the ocean. " If your 
country," replies this gallant youth, "is indeed reduced to this 
extremity, it is at this moment that my assistance in her armies 
will render the most service.*' He immediately hired a vessel to 
convey him to America, where he arrived in the spring of 1777. 
He was received by the American people with that esteem and 
affection, that his youth and ardent patriotism deserved. He 
soon become the beloved and bosom friend of Gen. Washington, 
soliciting the privilege to serve without pay, and was soon ap- 
pointed Maj. General. Such, Amercians was our friend; the 
eve of his life was sweetened by reflecting on the past acts of 
ihe philanthropist, the hero, the unbiased and unflinching pa- 
triot, and his noble character as a statesman and politician. 

In the last campaign the British took more prisoners than the 
Americans. They were detained in New- York, and confined in 
churches and prison ships, where they suffered incredible 
wretchedness from tiie hands of British christians ; without fire 
and almost without clothing ; often without food, and when 
food was offered it was a miserable pittance, damaged and 
loathsome ; many died of hunger, and more by diseases produ- 



REVOLUTIONARY SCKNES. 2'1.'> 

ced by complicated sufferings. Washington remonstrated with 
\\ armlh, and threatened reiahation. After his victories in New- 
Jersey, an exchange was agreed upon, but many, attempting to 
walk from the place of their confinement to the vessels provided 
to carry them away, fell in the streets to rise no more. Yet in 
the midst of these unparalleled suflerings they exhibited forti- 
tude more rare, and more honorable to human nature, than the 
highest display of valor in battle. To entice them to inlist in 
the royal army, they were promised relief from their sufferings, 
and Jhe enjoyment of abundance ; which they rejected witli 
disdain. The heart of a human being shrinks with horror at 
the tragic scenes in the narrative of the sufferings, (by J. Hol- 
lowell, a British commander of fort William Henry, Calcutta,) 
in the Black Hole prison, on the fatal night of the 28d of June, 
1756, wliere one hundred and twenty-three Englishmen out of 
one hundred and forty- six, perished by suffocation, in one night, 
by the cruelty of East India's tyrannical nabobs. And can a 
being, or a nation, called by the blessed name of christian, and 
discarding the cruelties of Calcutta, calmly look on and see in 
America, their friends, only at a little variance in war, starving, 
freezing, and suffering the keenest misery, even to death, in filthy 
prison ships, and holes as bad as Calcutta's fatal dungeon ; and 
when dead, cast their bodies to dogs and hogs, and leave their 
bones above ground, because they termed them rebels, to witness^ 
against British mercies at the day of retribution ? 

Near the end of May, the American army, now almost ten 
thousand strong, moved from Morristown and took a position at 
Middlebrook. Gen. Howe with the British army left their en- 
campment, and by various manoeu vers endeavored to entice Gen. 
Washington from his strong hold to meet him in the held. But 
the latter, adhering to his cautious system of warfare, refused 
every invitation and remained in the position he had chosen. 

Gen. Howe, changing his purpose, transported his army to 
Staten Island. On the 26th of July, leaving Sir Henry Clinton 
to command in New-York, he embarked one thousand six hun- 
dred troops on board a large fleet and put out to sea. 



216 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

Gen. Burgoync's Expedition. 
Gen. Burgoyne, early in the spring of 1777, arrived at Q,ue 
bcc, and made arrangements for the ensuing campaign. lie 
^vas able to appear in full force at the river Boquet, much ear- 
lier in the season than was anticipated by Gen. Gates, the Amer 
ioan commander of the northern station. 

Tliis British armament was led by accomplished and expe- 
lenced oflicers. amply furnished with all the munitions of war, 
comprising a formidable train of brass artillery, stores and equip- 
ments, which the nature of the service required, or the arts of 
man could invent for destruction. Veteran troops, selected 
from the British and German corps, formed nearly all the in- 
vading army, while Canadians and American royalists furnish- 
ed him with scouts, rangers, and spies ; and a numerous array of 
savages, armed with their own weapons. At the river Boquet, 
Burgoyne met the Indians in council, and gave them a war 
feast. This terrible armament, hovering on the confines of the 
I'luted States, and ready seemingly to strike a decisive blow, 
must he met and vanquished by our fathers — death and des- 
truction only must decide the contest. The nortliern gales 
swell with events. The east, west, and south, are sending their 
thousands to the field of Mars — the slaughter house of the na- 
tion ; where Burgoyne and associates, flushed with recent vic- 
tory, dares fate ; exulting in diabolical pride, pursue their ca- 
reer throui^h heaps of slain, cries, and groans of the wounded, 
lamentation of women and children ; distress on the right and 
left ; magazines of destruction in their rear, an enemy in fronl» 
amidst the roaring of cannon, bursting of bombs, rattling of 
nmskets, trumpets sounding, drums beating, and all the horrors 
of war to face; while death, brandishing the weapons of des- 
truction, fronts them at every corner, and ambushes each 
path with his terrors. Yet in the midst of these pictured scenes 
o[ deslructioii, they exclaim in their rage. We will pursue ; we 
will draw our swords and conquer the rebels that dare dispute 
our prerocjalives. Mad infatuation bhnded by ambition hath 
led millions of victims to certain, certain destruction. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 12-47 

The genius of Columbia, awake to every danger, calls her 
•sons to the field ; who assemble at the altar oi liberty, under tho 
?;tar-spangled banner, to front the invading foe and stop h\s pro 
j;ress to Albany, their boasted head-qnartcrs for the year 1777. 
America, all anxiety; mothers, sisters, and daughters, weepini: 
nnd bidding farewell to liushands, sons, and brothers, who has- 
ten to the scenes of battle, death, and slaughter, recommending 
their friends and relations to the all-protecting care of a heaven- 
ly Father, and fly to the awful conflict that must send thousands 
to eternity. 

Gen. Burgoyne marshaled liis forces at Putnam's river— ton 
thousand strong. Publishing his royal manifesto, oflering par- 
don, and Inviting all to join the standard of his royal master. 

This powerful force was commanded by Gens. Burgoyne, 
Frazier, Powel, Hamilton, Philhps, and the German Gens. 
Redesil and Spicht. 

The stipulation Gen. Burgoyne made with the Indians was, 
to take the field on conditions of humanity. They were not to 
scalp the wounded, or the prisoners. A bounty was given for 
•each prisoner brought in alive. This army, unmolested in lt< 
progress from St. Johns up the lake, landed and invested Ticou 
^eroga on the first and second days of .Tuly. This post, strong 
by nature and art, was commanded by Gen. St. Clair, an officer 
o( high standing. The country looked to him for a vigorous 
defence, and expected he would stem the torrent of invasion, 
and like Leonides, sell the post as dear as possible. But the 
country had little knowledge of the feeble state of the garrison. 
The British, possessing themselves of the Sugar Loaf, on Mount 
2>efiance, which had been hitherto deemed inaccessible, com- 
pletely commanded the fortress, and rendered the foit perfe^'tlv 
xuitenable against such an army, 

June 19th, Gen. Burgoyne commenced operations against 
Ticonderoga. Sugar Loaf Hill was examined, and work imme^ 
diately commenced and prosecuted with the utmost vigor day 
and night. The situation of the Americans was rendered criti- 
•cal — on the west, the ibrt was completely invested, and Mount 



2iS AN AMERICAN; FIRLD OF MARiif. 

Hope, now in possession of the enemy, commanded tlie inlet 
from t>ake George. This fortress stands on the western shores 
of Lake Champlain, on a point of land covered with rocks, and 
•Surrounded on three sides witli water ;. a great part of the fourtli 
side was covered with a deep morass. Opposite to Ticondero- 
ga, on the eastern shore of the inlet, is a circular hill, called 
Mount Defiance or Independence. On the summit of this hill 
stands Fort Star. The garrison was approached on the right 
wing of the American army, July 2d, and possession taken ot 
Mount Defiance, which overlooked the fortress. Thus situated 
(ien. St. Clair evacuated the fort on the 15th,^liaving previously 
sent the cannon, baggage, and hospital stores to Skeensborough, 
while the army retreated to Caatleton, thirty miles from Ticon 
dcroga. The rear-guard, under Col. Warren, and a lew others 
who fell behind on their march, halted six miles back — amount- 
n\o- to nearlv one thousand. The next morninGT they were 
overtaken and attacked by Gen. I'razier with eight hundred and 
fifty men.. The action was warm and well contested. Gen. 
Jledisel arrived' with his German division, and the Americans 
were obliged togive- way to superior numbers. In this battle, 
according to Burgo^iie's statement. Col. Francis and several 
other officers, and upwards of two hundred privates, were left 
dead on the field, and nearly^eighl hundred prisoners and wound- 
ed were taken. 

Death in stern triumph stalks the plain, 

Mars calls our sons to arms, 
Our rights as freemen to 'maintain 

Midst slaughter and alarms. 
Disastrous' this bloody iray ; 

America must mourn, 
^Vhile British triumphs, day by day, 

Presag-e a gathering storm. 

This sanguinary battle at Hubbardton, cost the American^ 
dear» and evinced to tlie enemy the bravery, courage, and valoi; 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 24^ 

of the foe they had to contend with. The remainder of the 
army, under Gen. St. Clair, after marching a circuitous route, 
reached Hudson river, and joined Gen, Schuyler at Fort Ed- 
ward. 

Gen. St. Clair's retreat fiora Ticonderoga, struck a damp to 
tli£ northern inhabitants, and greatly alarmed tlie country. In 
this gloomy state of affairs, no officer could have displayed more 
zeal and activity in quieting the fears and raising the despond- 
ing spirit of his countrymen than Gen. Schuyler. 

Col. Long having retired from Skeensborough, up Wood 
Creek to Fort Ann, with directions from Gen. Schuyler to de- 
lend that post — which was attacked by a detachment from the 
British, commanded by Lieut. Col. Hill. After a severe skirmish 
Col. Long, learning that a British reinforcement was advancing 
to the contest, set fire to the works at Fort Ann, and retired to 
Fort Edward. 

The approacJiing danger called all the energies that each of- 
ficer could muster into active operation, to meet the gathering 
tempest that hung over our land, like a cloud ready to burst. 
War, war, war, the only inquiry, thought, or meditation. A 
wake to freedom's call, Americans assembled by thousands to- 
front the danger, determined on liberty or death. 

In this gloomy state of affairs the command devolved on Gen. 
Schuyler, who did every thing in his power to restore order and 
place his little army in the best position. It consisted only of 
fifteen hundred continental troops, and the same number of 
militia; dispirited by defeat; without tents ; badly armed ; the 
principal part of the baggage and stores captured, and a powerful- 
enemy hanging on their rear, ready to pour destruction on their 
advance or retreat ; required more than human skill and per- 
severance to manage. 

Gen. Burgoyne, with the greatest part of his army, after the 
evacuation of Ticonderoga, pursued our flotilla up Lake Cham- 
])lain to Skeensborough, capturing and destroying the boats and 
boats and stores at that place ; while Gen. Phillips, with most 
of the stores of Burgoyne, went up Lake George to Fort ^jleorge? 
32 



250 AN AMfiRICAN FIELD OP MAhS. 

situated at the head of that lake, and fourteen miles north-west 
from Fort Edward. 

On Gen, Burgoyne's arrival at Skeensborough he found it 
absolutely necessary to suspend for a time all further opera- 
tions, in order to recruit his army. He determined to halt a few- 
days at this place to re-organize his troops and arrange his 
army. The baggage, artillery, and military stores, were brought 
up in the meantime, and preparations made with the utmost 
despatch for a grand move to Albany — little knowing the disas- 
trous fortune that awaited him at Saratoga, before the twentielh 
•of the next October. 

Gen. Schuyler improved this interval to the utmost advan- 
tage ; calling on the militia froiu all parts of the country ; form- 
ing and organizing an army ; providing stores ; destroying the 
navigatton of Wood Creek, by sijiking impediments in its chan- 
nels ; breaking down bridges, and obstructing roads; driving 
the live stock out of the reach of the enemy ; removmg ammu- 
nition and stores from Fort Edward to his army at Stillwater 
and Saratoga. In the meantime he did all he could to arouse 
the spirit of his countrymen in a cause so glorious to themselves 
and to posterity. 

Gen. Bur<rcyne, while at Skeensborough, issued his second 
proclamation, summoning the people, from the adjoining conn 
try, to appear at his royal pavillion, and submit to his majesty. 
King George III., and save themselves and families from imme- 
(diate destruction — notliing apprehensive of his own overthrow. 
This was met by a counter manifesto from Gen. Schuyler, 
stating to the inhabitants the insidious designs of the enemy; 
warning them to beware ol British intrigue; assuring them, in 
the most solemn and impressive manner, that those who aided ot 
joined the enemy would be considered traitors, and suffer the 
'Utmost rigor of the law. 

The evacuation of Ticonderoga, with the loss of all the stores 
provided for the service, with one hundred and twenty-eight 
pieces of cannon, and the defeat of Ilubbardton, astonished all 
ranks ol men, and the conduct of the officers was almost univer- 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. E5 1 

saliy condemned. Congress directed an inquiry to be mado 
into the condnct of all the officers of the northern department 
Through New-England, the most malignant aspersions were 
cast on them. Gen. Schuyler was accused of treachery — to 
which this accumulation of unlooked for calamities was attribu " 
ted, by the mass of the people. On a full inquiry into the con 
conduct of the officers, they were acquitted of all blame. 

Gen. Washington, on being informed of the distressed state o^ 
the remnant of the northern army, made great exertions to repair 
its loss, and to augment its force. The utmost industry was 
used to provide tents, artillery, ammunition, and stores, which 
were sent from Massachusetts to the army ; the remaining troops 
from that state were ordered to the northern department, and 
Gen. Lincoln, who possessed in a very high degree the confi- 
dence of the New-Nngland militia, was on that account to rai.v? 
and command them. Gen. Arnold, then distinguished as a 
l)rave officer, was ordered to that station, and Col. Morgan, with 
his corps of riflement, was detached on the same service. Gon. 
Washington, all animation in his country's cause, cherished a 
hope that by proper management and exertion much good might 
result from the present evil. '• The evacuation of Ticonderoga 
and Mount Independence," said Washington in a letter dated 
the 15th of July, and addressed to Gen. Schuyler, "is an event 
of chagrin and surprize, not apprehended. This event is severe 
indeed, and has distressed us much ; but we trust a spirited ex- 
ertion will retrieve our loss, and check Gen. Burgoyne in his 
ambitious career ; and that the confidence derived from success 
will hurry him into measures (hat will, in their consequences, 
Ix) favorable to us. We should never despair. Our situation 
lias before been unpromising; and has changed for the better. 
So I trust it will again. If new difficulties arise, we must put 
forth new exertions ; and propo;:tion o^^r ^xertjpns to the exigen- 
cies of the times," 

On receiving a letter from Gen. Schuyler pn the 17th, stating' 
ilje position 0|f ithe enemy — informing hirri that a part of their 
forces lay ^^ Skeensborough, and a, bpdy of between one ai>d 



252 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

two thousand lay at Castleton, and another had returned to Ti- 
conderoga, and that there was an advanced post near Fort Ann. 
lie seemed to anticipate the event that afterwards occurred, and 
to siisfgfest the measure orisfinntinsf that torrent of misfortune 
with which Burgoyne was overwhelming. "Though our af- 
liiirs," said Washington, '• for some days past wore a gloomy as- 
pect, I yet look forward to a fortunate and happy change. I 
trust Gen. |{urgoyne's army will sooner or later meet an effect- 
ual check; and, as I suggested beiore, that liis success will ulti- 
mately prove his ruin. From your account, he seems to he 
l»ursuing the line of conduct which of all others is the most 
favorable to us. I mean acting in detachments. This conduct 
will certainly give room for enterprize on our part, and expose 
his parties to great hazard, could we be so happy as to cut them 
off. Though it should consist ot only four, or five, or six hundred 
men, it would inspirit the people to action, and do away much 
of their present anxiety. In such an event, they would lose 
sight of past misfortunes, and urged by a regard for their own 
security, they would fly to arms, and afford every aid in their 
power. 

Gen. Burgoyne, having allowed a short repose to his army at 
Skeensborough, much elated with his past success, proceeded 
with ardor to the remaining object of the campaigii. Facing 
death and all the horrors of war, he starts with all his army for 
Albany. He found it necessary to open Wood Creek — which' 
was a work of much difhculty. The repairing of roads and 
broken bridges, occupied considerable time. Immense numbers 
of trees had been cut down and thrown across the roads, and 
their boughs interlocked with each other, in places where it was 
impossible to find any other way than that which they covered ; 
bridges must be erected, and in one place a cross-way had to-be 
constructed over a morass nearly two miles long. Such were 
the unavoidable difficulties and delays in opening the roads that 
the army, though very little harrassed by the Americans, did not 
arrive on the Hudson, at Fort Edward, till the 30th July. Here 
It was necessary to halt, to bring provisions, batteaux, artillery^ 
and other stores from Fort George. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 253 

This interval of time was employed to the best advantage by 
<jren. Schuyler, in strengthening his army, collecting stores, &,c. 
and in preparations to receive his unwelcome guest, and teach 
him a war-dance from their drums, in a tune called Yankee 
Doodle. 

Gen. Burgoyne at this time little anticipated the dangeit, des- 
truction, hardships, and sulFerings, that awaited them in their 
progress. Engaged in a war of oppression, justice stood in front 
with an avenging sword, to defend the cause of America, and 
level in the dust the vaunting boasts of wild ambition — fatal to 
lieated imagination and the dupes of tyranny. 

At Fort Edward a junction was formed between the armies 
that crossed Lakes George and Ghamplain. August I5th, the 
British army had not four days' provision in camp. The huge 
features of war stared each army in the face. Burgoyne was 
jaowin a position from wliich he must cither retreat or advance. 
False honor urged him on to unforseen ruin. Fired with am- 
bition and a lust for fame, his proud mind thought of nothing 
but battles, victories, success ; the destruction of thousands, and 
to bind the chams of oppression on the free and independent 
spirit of the United States of America — while his oaily success 
lay in open force, violence, bloodshed, treachery, robbery, and 
all the diabolical schemes that war is master of. Thus situated, 
our fathers had to face this pestilent hydra of despotism, armed 
with all of earth's terribles, to assist grim death in the destruc- 
tion of mankind. The lion, allured by scent of carnage, turned 
up his bloody jaws and gnashed his horrid teeth, while his roar 
shakes the mountains, and the beasts of the forests tremble. 
The threatening storm must soon burst and disclose all its aw- 
fuls. America prepares for the tempest. To arms ! to arms ! 
fathers ! To arms ! to arms ! brothers ! To arms ! sons ! 
Mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters, urging them on to the 
field of danger, glory, and renown — bidding them farewell, per- 
haps forever ; saying, go fight the foe of liberty, and bring us 
.'glorious news of triumph — let Spartan bravery actuate each 
breast, and no one turn his back to tlie foe, till death. 



254 AN AMERICA!* FIKLD Or MAK8. 

Gen. Burgoyne had, early in August, detached Col. St. L^gcr. 
with a lari^ body ot" Indians and roo^ulars, lo attack Fort Stan- 
•jr'ix, on the Mohawk river, now called Rome. On the seeomi 
day of August, St. Leger's advance was discovered at Fort 
Stanwix, and the next day ha invested the place. The lort was 
j^arrisoned by about sLx hundred troops, commanded by Col. 
Gansevoort. The besiej^ing army amounted to fifteen or eigh- 
teen hundred men,' Indians, British, Germans, Canadians, and 
Americans. Col. Lester sent a messaire, vaunting of his strength, 
and demanded a surrender — which was promptly answered by 
Gansevoort, that he would defend it to the last extremity. Gen. 
Herkimer assembled the militia ; determined to support Col. 
Gansevoort; marched towards the fort, but unhappily Col. St. 
liCger received intelligence of Herkimer's approach ; formed a 
plan to surprize him on the road, and succeeded in defeating 
him — making a terrible slaughter of his little army; killing 
nearly four hundred of his men. Col. Gansevoort, in order to 
favor Herkimer, made a furious sortie, to assist the defeated and 
flying army, and calf back the enemy to defend his camp. Gen. 
Herkimer fell, and with him many a worthy citizen, in this in- 
human butchery. 

A report being spread by a friendly Indian, that Gen. Arnold 
was advancing with a largo reinforcement, ttie British retreated 
in great disorder. 

Burgoyue's embarrassments drdly iiicriiascd. On the 16th 
Col. Baum, with his Gerrrmn legion, five himdred strong, wxi? 
detached by Gen. Burgoyne to seize a magazine of stores, col 
lected for the army at B<.'nnington, in Vermont, and to counten- 
ance the royalists in that quarter. On approaching Bennington 
CJol. Batim discovered a much larger force was in readiness to 
nacet him, than he anticipated. Gen. Stark and Col. Wam«r's 
coT\)S, amounting to near two thousand men, were waiting the 
arrival of their royal visitant, to gire bijn a salute worthy th« 
•h»ract«r of freemen. 

Battlo ai Bennington. 

fvrotiiriBg tht danger of hit situslioD, C-ol. Bfiam halted foir 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 255 

miles from Bennington, and despatched an express to Burgoyne 
for reinforcements. In the mean time, he strongly intrenched 
his camp and works, as well as he could; Lieutenant Bracham 
wtxs immediately despatched to his assistance, but came to late. 
Gen. Stark, apprehensive of reinforeement, determined to attack 
him immediately in his intrenchment. 

So confident were the royalists belonging to Baum's army, in 
the attachment of the country to the royal cause, that while dis- 
positions for an attack were maldng, the American troops were 
mistaken for friends coming to join them. This error was soon 
discovered by Col. Baum, who prepared with courage for the 
contest A heavy storm commenced about this time, some skir- 
miskes, bloody and sharp, ended this day (Aug. 14.) 

Th« 15tii, the storm with unabated violence, drenched the 
blo«d-stained earth. The 16th morn unbarred tlie gates of light 
to scenes of blood and slaughter. The tragic scenes of war 
ought to be banished from the earth. Can man, poor man, ex- 
ert all liis rage and might against the commands of God and 
laws of nature. Col. Baura, is here sent oat by orders, of a Gen- 
eral, under a christian king, to steal, plunder kill and destroy : 
crimes that would hang ten thousand robbers and pirates. Yet 
the royal criminal stalks the palace, exulting in his blood stain- 
ed career. 

All things prepared for action — while the powers of liame lie 
couchant, shmibering m perfect innocence, and the ball, that is 
to deal destruction on entire strangers, who- never saw, nor knew 
any harm of each other, lies at rest in the cartridge, till maddning 
pnssions rise predominant to reason^ starts leaden death, by sul- 
phurous power on some poor unfo^rtunate nwrtai. 

August 16th, at 3 o'clock, commenced the bloody scene. Gen. 
Stark attacks Col. Baum with impetuous fury in his camp, and 
with the point of the bayonet carries his works by assault. Baum, 
after a brave resistance is slain and most of his men either kill- 
t-d or taken prisoners. A few escaped to the woods and saved 
themselves by flight. 

Col. Bracham advanced "with a reinforcement near the ground 



256 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

where the battle was fought, without tlie least intelligence ol" 
what had happened. Coming up during the pursuit, he met 
the scattered remnant of Haum's corps and obtamed the first 
uitelligence of his defeat. The militia being scattered in pur- 
suit of plunder, unapprehensive of danger, there was fear that 
all the advantage gained might be lost. 

Fortunately for the Americans, at this critical juncture Co!. 
Warner came up with his continental rocriment and advanced 
upon the encmV; who liad already driven back such parties* of 
militia as had been in pursuit of Bnum's fugitives. He restored 
order and continued the action, until the main body of the mi- 
litia re-assembled and came up to his support. Col. Bracham 
ju turn was obliged to retreat; he kept up the action till dark. 
By this time his ammunition, although forty rounds to'aman i^ad 
been delivered, was nearly all expended. Abandoning Wfs Jir- 
tillory and b;iggago he saved his party under cover of Aight. 
In this action the Americans took one thousand muskets and 
nine hundred swords. Gen. Burgoyne states his loss at four 
hundred men, but our prisoners amounted to thirty two officers 
and five hundred and sixty-four privates. The number killed, 
not exactly known, owing to the battle's being fought in (he 
woods and the pursuit continued for several miles. 

This decisive victory at Bennington, and the retreat of St. 
I.eger from fort Stanwix, however important in themselves, were 
still more so in their consecpiences. The deduction from the 
force of the enemy was a great ad van! age. This victory raised 
tlie languid spirits of America, ajid operated essentially on the 
public mind. An army which had heretofore spread terror in 
every direction ; which had before experienced no reverse ol' 
fortune, was considered as already captive ; and a general opin- 
ion prevailed, that it was now only necessary for the militia to 
appear in arms and liberty must triumph, and the destruction of 
that army se much feared would be certain. The savage bar- 
barity of the Indians Itelongingf to the army of Burgoyne, as 
well as that of.. St. Leger, excited still more resentment than 
terror- Tlie murder of Miss McCrea, an accomplished young 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 257 

Indy -engaged to a British oflicfv, excited every where a dejrre« 
of sensibility. 

Gen. Schuyler, whose cnihient services did not exempt him 
irom tlic imputation of traitor, was superceded by Gen. Gates, 
Vv^lio possessed a lar<:^e share of jiublic confidence. He assumed, 
tlic command of the army on the 25th of Augtist, and was very 
active in strengthening the lines and restoring order. Gen. 
Schuyler was extremely chagrined on being superceded in the 
command, as appears in a iiittcr addressed to Gen. Washington, 
in which he says : " It is a matter of mortification to me, to be 
•deprived of the command when soon, if ever, we shall be 
able to face the enemy ; and when we are about to take ground 
vv here they must attack us to disadvantage, sliould our forces 
prove inadequate to meet thehi in the liold." 

Notwi:hstanding the surrounding diflicultieR, Gen. JBurgoyne 
resolved to encounter the danger, and cut his way through to 
Albany. lie still entertained hopes of accomplishing the design 
of the campaign, and resolved to make good his promise to the 
British Cabinet. Having obtained j)rovisions for thirty days 
iromfort George, he crossed the Hudson Iliver on the 13th and 
iith of .September, and encamped on the height and plains of 
Saratoga, and on the 17th encamped within four miles of the 
.'\merican army. On. the 18th the front of the two armies were 
ahnost in contact, and some skirmishing ensued. The Ameri- 
cans were so situated that the catastrophe could not long be 
averted, and the four succeeding weeks were pregnant with 
dangers and difiiculties, and dreadful in the waste of human 
lives. About noon, en the 19lh, Gen. Gates was informed tliat 
the enemy were advancing in full force on his left, where Gen. 
Arnold commanded. Col. Morgan was detached to watch their 
motions and harrass them as they advanced. Ifesoon fell in 
with their pickets, in front of their right wing, which was com- 
manded by Gen. Burgoyne in person. The pickets were com- 
posed of Indians, Canadians and Provincials, and being sharply 
attacked by Morgan, were soon driven in. A strong corps was 
brought up to support them, and after a, severe ^ncounter Mor- 



253 AN AMERICAN FlELr> OF BIAKS'/ 

gati ill turn, was iorccd to give way. A regiment wasvordered - 
ti> oL'^oist him, and.:^}i.e action becanie. general, 

Tlie Battle Ground described. 

Tho ivjQ great battles that decided the fate of Gen. John Bur 
goyne, were fought on the lOtli of September, and the 7th of 
O'ctober. on Benias' height, and nearly on the same ground, 
about two miles west of the river. Tliere was then, as there i.s • 
now, a good road close to the river an J parallel to it. Upon 
trtis road marched the heavy artillery and baggage, constituting 
the left wing of the British army. The advanced corps of light 
tvcops formed the right wing, and kept on the height thnt bor- 
ders, the meadows. The Americans were south and west oi 
the British, their right v/ing on the river, and their left on the 
heig;hts. A great part of the battle ground was covered witii 
lofty foreist trees, principally pine, with here and there a cleared 
field, of which the most part vrns called Freeman's farm. Such 
IS the present situation of these heights, only there is more clear- 
e«J land. These gigantic trees have principally fallen, but a 
considerable number remain as witiiesses to posterity. They 
otill shew the wounds made in thoir trunks and branches by 
t!ie missiles of contendiDg armies. Their roots penetrate the 
soil made fruitful by the blood of the brave, ,and their lofty 
boughs wave with the breeze that once shook with ascending 
ghosts. 

Tlie pickets occupied a small hoiise on Freeman's farm when 
a part of Morgan's corps feU in with it, and immediately drove 
tliem Irom it, leaving the house nearly encircled with dead. 
The pursuing party imniediately and unexpectedly fell in with 
the British line, and were in part captured and the rest dispersed 
This incident occurred at liall past twelve. There was then 
an mtermission till one o'clock, when -the action was sharply 
renewed, but did not become general till three o'clock,- from 
which time it raged with unabated fury till night. Gen. Wil- 
Itinson says, tha£.,''=although the combatants charged ground 



REVOLUflONAaY SCENES. 259^ 

a'dozen times during the action, the contest terminated on the 
same spot where it begun."' This may be explained in a few- 
words. Tiie British line formed on an eminence in a thin pine 
woods, having before it Freeman's farm, ati oblong field stretch- 
ing from its centre towards its right; the ground in front sloping 
gently down to the verge of the fie-ld, which was bordered on 
the opposite side by a close wood. The sanguinary scene lay 
in the cleared ground between the eminence occupied by t!ie 
eiiemyandthe wood just- described. The fire from our marks- 
raen from triis v/ood was too deadly to be withstood by the ene- 
my in line ; when they gave way, our men broke from their 
covert and pursued^them to the eminence ; there, having their ' 
flanks protected, they rallied and charged in turn^drove us 
back into the woods, from whence a dreadful fire would agaiii 
oblige tkem to fall back ; in this manner did the battle.fluctuate 
for foiir^ours without one moment's intermission. . The Brit- 
isli artillery fell into our possession at every charge, but we 
could neither turn the pieces upon the enemy nor briiig them 
off, the want of matches pioveiiiing the first, and ihe woods the 
latter, as the lint-s locks were invariably carried off, and the rapids 
ity of the transaction did not allow us timcto provide one. The 
slaughter ol this company of artillerists was remarkable. Tl?e 
captain and thirty-six privates being eithrr killed or v.'-ounded, 
out of forty-eiglit. This was truiy a gallant coniiict, inwhicli 
death by familiarity lost its terrors. It w^as certainly &n equal 
contest, for night alone terminated it. The British army kept 
their ground in the rear of the field of battle ; and our corps, 
when they could no longer distinguish objects, retired to l>heir 
camp. Gen. Burgoyne': claimed the victorj^, yet it had to him 
all the consequences of a defeat. His loss was between five 
and six hundred men, while cur's was but little more than half 
that number. His loss was irreparable, our's was easily repaired. 
I'he stress of the action, as it regarded the British, fell princi- 
pally on the 20th, 21st and 66th regiments. The latter v.'as 
five hundred strong when it left Canada, and was then reduced 
to sixty privates and four or five officers. Gen. Burgoyno 



S60 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

States that there was scarcely an interval of a minute, in the 
iinioke, b\it that some British olficer was sliot by the American 
rif1{unen jjostinl in the trees m the rear and on the flanks ol' 
iheir own line. A shot which was intended for Gen. Burgoyne, 
severely wounded Cupt. Greene, aid to Gen. Phillips. The 
mistake was owing to the captain's having a rich laced furni- 
ture to his saddle, which caused the ma/ksman to mistake him 
for the General. "Such was the ardor of the Americans,"' 
says Gen. Wilkinson, "that the wounded men, after having their 
wounds dressed, in many instances, returned again to battle. 

Battle of the 7th October. 

The battle ol the 7th was fought on nearly the same ground, 
but it was not so stationary. It commenced further to the right 
and extended in various points over more surface, eventually 
occupying Freeman's farm. It was urged by the Americans to 
the very camp of the enemy, which, towards night, was impet- 
uously stormed and partly carried. The interval between the 
19th of September and the 7tli of October, was one of great 
anxiety to both armies. "Not a night passed,"' said Gen. Bur- 
goyne, "without firing, and some times concerted attacks on our 
pickets. No foraging party could be made without great detach- 
ments to cover it. It was the plan of our enemies to harrass 
us by constant alarms, and their superiority in numbers enabled 
tliem to d(3 it, without ftitigue to themselves. Being habituated 
to fire, bur soldiers became iiidiflcrent to it, and were capable of 
rating or sleeping when it was very near them. And I do not 
believe that either officers or soldiers, slept during the interval 
witho\it their clothes on, or that any general officer or commander 
of a regiment, passed a single night without being upon liis legs 
occasionly, and certainly an hour before day." 

The battle of the 7th was brought on by a movement of Gen. 
Burgo^nie, who caused fifteen hundred men and ten pieces of 
artillery to march towards the lef\ wing of the American army. 



llEVOLtlTIONARY SCENESJ. 201 

:br the purpose of discovering whether it would be possible to 
force a passage, or in case a retreat of the royal army shoulri 
•become necessary, to dislodge the Americans from their intrench- 
ments, and also, to cover a forage, which now became indispen- 
sable. It was about the middle of the afternoon, when the Brit- 
ish were seen advancing ; and the Americans, with small arms, 
lost no time in attacking their grenadiers and artillery, although 
under a tremendous fire from the latter. , The battle soon exten- 
ded along the whole line. Morgan at the same time attacked 
with his riilemen, the right wing of Col. Ackland, commander 
of the grenadiers, who fell wounded. The grenadiers were de- 
feated and most of their artillery taken, alter great slaughter. 
The British, after a most sanguinary contest of less than an 
hour, were discomforted and the retreat became general. 'J'liey 
had scarcely regained their camp, when their lines were stormed 
with the greatest lury, A part of Lord Balcarrus' camp wivs 
for a short time in possession of^the Americans. The Gcrmanis. 
under Col. Brachman, who formed the right reserve of the ar- 
my, were stormed in their intrenchraents by Gen.' Leonard and 
(Jol. Brooks. Gen. Arnold was wounded on this occasion^ and 
(.'ol. Brachman was killed; and the (:Jermans were either cap- 
tured, slain, or forced to retreat in the most precipitate manner ; 
leaving the British encampment on the right, entirely unprotect- 
ed, and liable to be assaulted every minute. All the British olli- 
cers bear testimony to the valor and obstinacy of the attacks 
of the Americans. The fact was, the British were sorely de- 
feated; routed and pursued to their lines, which it seems, would 
have been carried by assault, had not darkness, as on the 19lh 
of September, put an end to the sanguinary contest, and mur- 
derous scene of the day, and shut from mortal sight the objects 
of destruction. It is obvious (rom Gen. Burgoyne's own ac- 
count and the testimony of his officers, that this was a decisive 
blow, and wanted but an hour more of day light to completr 
the destruction of the British army. 

The night of the 7th was a most critical one for the royal 
army. In the course of it they abandoned their camp, chang- 



262 AN AMERICAN FIBLD OF MARS. 

ed their whole position, retreated to their works upoiithe height 
eontigiious to the river, and immediately behind their hospital. 

Their last Encampment. 

Six days more of anxiety, fatigue and suffering awaited the 
British army. !They had lost their provision batleaux, when 
they abandoned (heir hospital, and the rest being exposed to em- 
inent danger, the small stock remaining was landed under a 
heavy fire, and hauled up the heights. On these heights, close 
to the meadow bordering upon the river, they formed a fortified 
camp, and strengtlicncd it with artillery ; most of the artillery j 
however was on the plain below. 

Gen. Gates' army stretched along the south side of the Fish- 
kill, and nearly parallel to it ; the corps of Col. Morgan lay west 
and north of the British army, and Gen. Fellows, with three 
thousand men, was on tlie east side of the Hudson, ready to 
dispute the passage. Fort Edward was soon after occupied by 
the Americans. A fortified camp was also formed on the high 
ground between the Hudson and Lake George, and parties were 
stationed up and down the river. The desperate resjiutiou 
that had been taken in Burgoync's camp, of abandoning their 
artillery and bago-age, and v.dth no other provisions than each 
man could carry on his back, farce their way by a rapid night's 
march, and in this manner gain one of the lakes, was rendered 
abortive. Every part of the royal army was exposed, not onW 
to cannon shot, but also to rifle bullets. Not a single place of 
safety could be found, not a council could be held, not a dinner 
eaten in peace, or the sick or wounded, or the females with 
their children, repose in safety. Even access to the river was 
rendered hazardous by the numerous rifle shots, and the txxmv 
was soon distressed for v/ater. Gen. Reidisel, his lady and chil- 
dren, were often obliged to drink wine instead of water. They 
had no way to procure the latter, except that a soldiers wife ven- 
tured to the river for them, and the Americans, out of respect 
,;to her sex, did not fire at her. To protect his family from the 



■Revolutionary" scenes. 26i3 

■shot, Gen. Reidisel, soon after their arrival at Saratoga, directed 
ihem to take shelter in a house, not far off. They had scarce- 
ly reachetl this castle of supposed safety, when a tremendous 
cannonade from the Americans' left them no sanctuary of refuge. 
Cinder a mistaken idea that all the British generals were assem- 
bled at this house, the Americans thought to give them a nation- 
al salute ; when alas ! adds the baroness, ''it was only a hospital 
for the wounded, and a lonely shelter for the forlorn and helpless 
women and children. "We were obliged at last to resort to tju; 
cellar lor protection and reluge. And in one corner of that I 
remained one whole day ; my children slept on the ground with 
iheir heads in my lap; in the same sitiiation I passed a sleep- 
less night. Eleven cannon balls passed through this house dur- 
mg' the time, which I could hear distinctly roll away. Onv. 
poor ^-oldier, lying upon the table for the purpose of having his 
ieg amputated, was struck by another shot, which carried away 
the other ; his comrade had left him, and when he came to his 
assistance, he found him in one comer of the room into v/hich 
he had crept, more dead than alive, scarcely breathing."' 

A horse of Gen. Reidisel's was kept in constant readiness lor 
his lady to mount, in case of a sudden retreat ; and three Eng- 
lish officers, who were wounded and lodged in the same hous'', 
had made her a solemn promise, that they would each of them 
lake one of her children, and fiy with them, when such an event. 
became necessary. In this situation they remained six days, 
till a cessation of hostilities, which ended in a convention tor 
the surrender of the army, signed on the IGth, and the next day 
the British marched out and laid down their arms at the shrine 
■of liberty; and hushed the tumultuous scenes of war, and con- 
fitant fear of dying, under the spangled banner of Urania. 

The Field of Surrender. 

This field of surrender is situated on the banks of the Fish- 
kill. Gen. Wilkinson's account of this interview is interesting;. 
"Early in the morning,*' says the General, "of the 17th of Oc 



20 1 AN AMERICAN FIELT> Of MARS. 

lubcT; I visited Gen Burgoync in his cneampment. and accom- 
panied him to the oroiind where liis army v/ere to lay dowr? 
their arms, t'rom thence wc rode to the banks of the Hudson 
liver, which he surveyed with attention, and itskcd me ii' it 
vv^as not Ibrdable; '-certainly"' said I, "but do you observe the 
people on the opposite shore ?"' "Yes,"' replied Burgoyne, '• 1 
have observed them too long." He then proposed to be intro- 
duced to Gen. Gates, and we crossed the Fishkill to proceed to 
head quarters. Gen. Burgoyne in front, his adjutant, Gcu. 
Kingston, and his aid. Capt. Lord Petersham, and Lieut. Wil- 
Ibid behind him ; then followed Maj. Gen. Phillips, Baron Reid- 
isel. and the other general officers, according to their rank, 
(.icn. Gates, advised of Burgoyne's approach, met him at the 
iiead oi' liis camp, Burgoyne in; a rich, royal uniibrm, and Gates 
in a plain blue frock. When they had approached nearly to a 
t; word's length., they leined up and halted. I named the gen- 
tleman, on which Gen. Burgoyne raised his hat gracefully and 
said, '• Gen. Gates, the fortune of war has made me your priso- 
ner.'" To which the conqueror returned a courtly salilte, "I 
siUall ahvays be ready to bear testimony that it has not been thro' 
any fault in your excellency."' Gen. Phillips next advanced, 
and he and Gen. Gates saluted and shoak hands with the la- 
niiliarity of old friends. The Baron Reidisel and other ofllcera. 
were introduced in their turn. 

STANZA. 

War's hateful form has spent its rage. 

Reason resumes her light. 
And man to man, once fierce engaged, 

Now in sweet friendship meet. 
The murderous sword is laid aside. 

The deadly cannon's roar : 
And ardent warriors meet witii pride^ 

WThen war's harsh toils are o'er. 
The brazen face ot liars' sons 



REVOLOTIONARY SCEWES. "iCl 

That stood in drecid array. 
To meot their toes with swords and gims 

And s\veep their ranks away— 
Now mee.Mn friendship — shaking hands, 

With angry passions cooled. 
, Gen. Burgoyne and British bands 

A tragic scene behold. 
Fortune of war has bound in chains, 

The passions once amused : 
Ambition's views, nature ordains, 

Shall on its ruin muse. 
Joy ushers in a glorious morn 

For liberty's renown ; 
While generations yet unborn, 

Shall wear the civic crown. 
America, proud of her sons, 

Ranks high on modern fame. 
Her armies, with their swords and guns. 

Shall Europe's tyrants tame : 
While generous friendship spreads her hands 

'Cross the Atlantic's waves. 
Inviting aliens to our strands, 

An asylum for slaves. 

The ground allotted for the surrender was a meadow, situa- 
ted at the intersection of the Fishkill with the Hudson, and north 
of the former. There is nothing now to distinguish the spot 
except the ruins of old Fort Hardy, built during the French 
war ; and deeply interesting historical narratives that immor- 
talize this spot to future generations. 

Thousands and ten thousands yet unborn, shall visit this 
spot of fame, and relate the achievements of our heroic coun- 
trymen. And while time lasts, and memory endures, may the 
rising fame of America, as a tribute of gratitude to all-protect- 
ing Heaven, and the stern valor of our brave countrymen, who 
fought, bled, and died, to achieve the oflcrious triumph of ourax- 
34 



30G AN AMERICAN FIKLD OK MARS. 

mics — be ever cherished with a suitable EoIemnity,-to cowiniem 
orate at once, the reverence we owe to our fathers ; with a deep 
sense of the painful days, sleepless nights, the toils, dangers, 
deatli, blood, slauo-htcr, fighting, confusion dftd dismay, that ra- 
ged from all the engines of destruction^ at or ncnr this place of 
past, present, and fumre fame, from the 19th of September to 
;he 17th of October, 1777. 

Triumphant victory crowned her sons 
With laurels — may they never fado, 
While time endures, and water runs — 
Remember what was here displayed. 
' The royal army grounds its arms, 

The thundering cannon sleeps at rest ; 
"The dreads, the fears of war's alarms, 
Are hushed to silence in the breast. 
• Conquest has crowned our fathers' toils, 
The invader's bound — Minerva's shield 
Protects our land — the goddess smiles, 
, While golden sheaves adorn the field. 

Now peace and plenty glad each morn 

The rising sun illummates, 
And generations yet unborn,' 

Shall hail thy worth, United States. 

Gen. Burgoyno states his effective force when he capitulated, 
at tlirec thousand five hundred fighting men. The whole 
which surrendered, according to the American calculation was 
live thousimd seven hundred and fifty-two. The army when 
it marciied from Ticondcroga amounted, according to returns, 
to nine thousand men. In addition to this great military force, 
the British lost, and the Americans acquired, a fine train of ar- 
tillery, seven thousand stands of arms, and clothing for seven 
thousand recruits intended to be inlisted in this country, witli 
tents and other stores to a considerable amount. 



KKVOLUTIONxiRY SCENES. 207 

The army of Gen. Gates, at tlie same date, numbered nmo 
fhoiisand and ninety-three continental troops; the number of 
the mihtia tluctuating. Th(;y amounted, at the signino: of t\» 
convention, to fcur thousand one hundred and twenty-nine. 

The sick and wounded exceeded two thousand five hundrcitl. 
Tiie destruction of Burgoyne's army was in a great measure de- 
cided by the battle of the IDth of September, and could not have 
been prevented but by liis immediate retreat. Tiie obstinate 
courage of that day, displayed by the Americans, fully evinced 
to both armies, that the continental troops under Gen. Gateg, 
were more than equal to the British in the field. 

Gen. Gates being apprehensive of a sudden diversion of part 
of the British army, from New- York, by Sir Henry CJinton, to 
the relief of Burgoyne; granted him better terms, than iie other- 
wise would have, done, under other circumstances. Sir Henry, 
knowing Burguoyne's situation, immediately detached froni 
New-York,- up tlie Hudson, three-thousand men, under Generals 
Vaughan and Tryon, and Col. Campbell, wlio attacked and car 
ried forts Montgomery and Clinton, by storm; pressing on their 
suceess, forts Independence and Constitution was evacuated 
next day. Gen. Vaughan, with a strong detachment, proceeded 
up the river to ^sopus, which he wantonly burnt and destroyed. 
Here he received the first intelligence of Burgoyne's surren- 
der, and marked the spot by outrages habitual to a, savage mind. 
Gen. Yauglian then .proceeded down the river with h.b.iil-golten 
■gain, to New-York, to inform Sir Henry of his. master's -ioss, 
and his own achievements as an jnccndiary,deiserviDg' a halter. 

Gen. Burgoyne and ara;iy, now reposing from the toils of 
war under the banner of liberty, await the orders of a new mas- 
ter, which five months before, was almost sure to have their con- 
querors in chains and slavery, and subject to royal mandates and 
decrees. But fickle fortune interlbred; bound ambition and 
, tyranny to the car of libert)'-, and led those in fetters to Boston, 
who so late triumphed at Crown Point, Tlconderoga and 
Skeensborough, and made the rebels tremble, as they tauntmgly 
called us, by. their power and lawless manifestoes. 



5GS an AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS, 

In the short space of five months, this royal army, consistin:.' 
of nearly ten thousand men, saw itself reduced to one halt its 
original number; deserted by its allies, in an enemy's country, 
tar from home and relief: surrounded on all sides by the bravo 
jjons of liberty in arms, and death, destruction, .slaughter, car- 
nage, hunger and thirst; hedging them round till a surren- 
der stopped the terribles of war, closed the mouths of cannon 
and laid at rest the missiles of destruction. The joy expressed 
by America on the occasion, was very great, and our struggle 
lor independence brightened ; foreign alliance was now almost 
certain. 

The thanks of Congress to Gen. Gntes and army, was highly 
eomniend.itory. A general enthusiasm pervadtjd all ranks for 
military fame, and the triumph of liberty. Great Britain, on the 
other hand, saw her glory eclipsed in the wilds of America ; her 
armies defeated, and her able generals led in triumph to the al- 
tars of freedom, and her usurped power crumbling to dust. 

liefore I dismiss the narration of this unfortunate officer, I 
sihall relate a correspondence between Generals Gates and Bur- 
goyne, on Indian barbarities, and in particular that tragic nar- 
rative of Miss M'Crea, from Marshall's Life of Washington. 

Justice to the unfortunate demands, that an extract from the 
correspondence between Generals Burgoyne and Gates on this 
subject should be inserted. 

The British general had complained of the harsh treatment 
experienced by the provincial prisoners taken at Bennington, 
and requested that a surgeon from his army should be permitted 
to visit the wounded ; and that lie might be allowed to furnish 
them Avith necessaries and attendants. " Duty and principle," 
he added, <■ make me a public enemy to the Americans, who 
have taken up arms ; but 1 seek to be a generous one ; nor have 
I the sharjow of resentment against any individual, who does 
not induce it by acts derogatory to those maxims, upon^ which 
all men of honor think alike." In ;uiswer to this letter. Gen. 
(lates, who had just taken command of the American army, said, 
'• that the savages of America should, in their warfare, mnngi'e 



HEVOLUTICNARY SCENES. 2(M) 

and scalp the unhappy prisoners who fall into their liands is nei- 
ther new nor extraordinary ; but that the famous lieutenant gen- 
eral Burgoyne, in whom the fine gentleman is united with the 
soldier and the scholar, should hire the savages of America to 
scalp Europeans, and the descendants of Europeans ; nay more, 
that he should pay a price for each scalp so barbarously taken, 
is more than will be believed in Europe, until authenticated 
facts shall, in every gazette, confirm the truth of the horrid tale. 

"Miss M'Crea, a young lady, lovely to the sight, of virtuous 
character, and amiable disposition, engaged to an officer of your 
army, was, with other women and children, taken out of a house 
near fort Edward, carried into the woods, and there scalped and 
mangled in a most shocking manner. Two parents with their 
six children, were all treated with the same inhumanity, v^^hile 
-quietly resting in their once happy and peaceful dwelling. The 
miserable fate of Miss M'Crea was particularly aggravated, by 
being dressed to receive her promised husband ; but met her 
murderer employed by you. Upwards of one hundred men, 
women and children, have perished by the hands of the ruffian*; 
to whom, it is asserted, you have paid the price of blood.'' 

To this part of his letter, Gen. Burgoyne replied, '• I have hes- 
itated, sir, upon answering the other paragraphs of your letter. 
I disdain to justify myself against the rhapsodies of fiction and 
calumny, which from the first of this contest, it has been an un- 
varied American policy to propagate, but which no longer im- 
jioses on the world. I am induced to deviate from this general 
rule, in the present instance, lest my silence should be construed 
an acknowledgment of the truth of your allegations, and a pre- 
tence be thence taken for exercising future barbarities by the 
American troops. 

" By this motive, and upon this only, I condescend to inform 
you, that I would not be conscious of the acts you presume to 
impute to me, for the whole continent of America, though the 
wealth of worlds was in its bowels, and a paradise upon its 
surface. 

»'It has happened, that all my transactions with the Indian 



27D AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

nations, last year and this, hate been clearly heard; dictinctly 
understood, accnrately minuted, by very numerous, and in ma 
ny parts very unprejudiced persons. So immediately opposite 
to truth is your assertion that 1 have paid a price for scalps, 
iliat one oi' the first resrulations established by me at the great 
council in May, and repeated and enforced, and invariably ad- 
hered to since, was, that the Indians should receive compensa- 
tion lor prisoners, because it would prevent cruelty; and that 
not only such compensation should be withheld, bnt a strict ac- 
count demanded for scalps. These pledges of con(|uest, for 
such you well know they will ever esteem them, were solemnly 
and peremptorily prohibited to be taken from the wounded, and 
even the dying, and the persons of aged men, women, children, 
and prisoners, were pronounced sacred, even in assault. 

" In regard to Miss M'Crea, her fall wanted not the tragic 
display you have lalx>red to give it, to make it as sincerely ab- 
horred 0T,d lamented by mc. as it can be by the tendercst of her 
h"iends. The iact was no premeditated barbarity. On the 
contrary, two chiefs who had brought her off for the purpose 
ot security, not of violence to her person, disputed Vvhich should 
be her guard, and in a fit of savage passion in one, from whose 
hands she was snatched, the unhappy woman became the vic- 
tim. Upon the first intelligence ol this event, I oblisred the In 
dians to deliver t!ie murderer into my hands-, and though to have 
punished him by our laws, or principles of justice, would have 
been unprecedented, he certainly should have suffered an igno- 
minious death, had I not been convinced from my circumstan- 
ces and observation, beyond tlie possibility of a doubt, that a 
pardon under the terms which I presented, and they accepted, 
would be more efficacious than an execirtion, to pteverit similar 
mischiefs. 

"Thf above instance excepted, your intelligence respecting 
tha cruelties of the Indians is false. 

"You seem to threaten me with European publications, 
which affect me as little as any other threats you could make ; 
btJt-in regard. to Afneric an publications, whether your charge 



REVObUTlONAUY SCEiVEa. Tt !. 

agaaist ine, which I acquit you of believing, was penned from 
a fTazettc, or for a gazette, I desire and demand of you, as ;» 
\uan of honor, that should it appear in print at all, this answer 

may follow it.-' 

I shall now call the attention of my readers to the British 
Parliament, where Lord Suffolk, secretary of state, and Lord . 
Chatham, contested (he use oi^ all the means that God and nat- 
ure had put into their hands to kill, murder and destroy. 

Parliament assembled on the 19th of November, and as usual, . 
addressed an answer to the speech honi the throne, entirely ap- 
proving the. conduct of the cabinet. In the House of Lords, 
the Eaii of Chatham moved to amend the address, by recom 
mending to his Blajesty an immediate cessation of hostilities. 
and the commencement of a treaty of conciliation "to restore," 
he said, ''peace and liberty to America, strength and happiness 
to. England, security and permanent prosperity to both coun- 
tiies." In the course of the very animated observations made 
by tliis extraordinary man in support of his moiion, lie said. 
•' but my lords, who is the man that, in addition to the disgraces 
and mischiefs of wor, has dared to authorise and associate to 
our arms the tomahawk and scalping knife of the savage? to 
call into civilized alliance the. wild and inhuman inhabitants of 
the woods ? to delegate to the merciless Indian the uefence ot dis 
puted rights, and to wage the liorrors of his barbarous war 
against our brethren? my lords,.thesc enormities cry alt)ud for - 
Todress and punishnicnt. Unless thoroughly done away it will 
bo a stain on the national character. It is not the least of our 
national misfortunes that the strength and character of our ar -■■ 
my are thus impaired. Familiarized to the horrid scenes of 
savage cruelty, it can no longer boast of the noble and generon:? - 
principles which dignify a soldier. No longer sympathize with 
the dignity of the royal banner, nor feel the pride, pomp, and 
circumstance of glorious war that makes ambition virtue. 
, What makes ambition virtue ? the sense of honor. But is this 
sense of honorfconsistent with tlie spirit of plunder, ortheprac- 
tiae of murder? can it flow from mercenary motives, or can it 
prompt ,to .cruel deeds ?" 



272 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

Also see Chatham's reply to that savage hearted jgnoramiis. 
Lord Suffolk ; whose hateful character, and cruel dispositioiK 
God nor nature never made. 

Lord Sutiblk contended lor the employment of Indirais, in 
fhe war, "Besides its policy and necessity," his lordship said, 
" that the measure was also allowable on principle, for that it 
was perfectly justifiable to use all the means that God and nat- 
ure had put into our hands." 

This moving the indignation of Lord Chatham, he suddenly 
rose, and gave full vent to his feelings in one of the most extra- 
ordinary bursts of eloquence that the pen of history has record- 
ed: "I am astonished," exclaimed his lordship, "shocked to 
hear such priuciples confessed, to hear them avowed in this 
house or even this country. My Lords, I did not intend to have 
encroached again on your attention, but I cannot repress my 
indignation. I feel myself impelled to speak. My Lords, we 
are called upon as members of this house, as men, as christians, 
to protest against such horrible barbarity. That God and nat- 
Ttire had put into our hands ! what ideas of God and nature that 
noble Lord may entertain I know not, but I know that such 
detestable principles are equally abhorrent to religion and hu- 
manity. What, to attribute the sacred sanction of God and nat- 
ure to the massacres of the Indian scalping knife! to the can- 
nibal savage, torturing, murdering, devouring, drinking th« 
blood of his man^hd victims ! such notions shock every pre- 
cept of morality, every feeling of humanity, every sentiment of 
honor. These abominable principles and this more abominable 
avowal of them, demand the most decisive indignation. I call 
upon that right reverend and this most learned bench to vhidi- 
cate the religion of their God, to support the justice of their 
country. I call upon the Bishops to interpose the unsullied 
sanctity of their lawn, upon the judges to interpose the purity 
of their ermine, to save us from this pollution. I call upon 
the honor of your lordships, to reverence the dignity of your 
ancestors, and to maintain your own. I call upon the spirit 
and humanity of my country, to vindicate the national charac- 
ter. I invoke the genius of the constitution. From the tapes- 



'REVOLUTION'ARl'^ SCE'WES. "273 

'try that adorns these walls, the immortal ancestor of this noble 
Lord, frowns with indignation at the disgrace of his country. 
In vain did he defend the liberty, and establish the religion oi 
Britain against the tyranny of Rome, if these worse than Po- 
pish cruelties and niquisitorial practices are endured among us. 
To send forth the merciless Ccumibal thirsting for bloed ! — a- 
gainst whem! — Your protestant brethren — to lay, waste their 
cx)untry, to desolate their dwellings, and extirpate their race 
and name, by the aid raid instrumentality of these horrible hell- 
hounds of war ! Spain can no longer boast pre-eminence of 
barbarity. She armed herself with blood-hounds to extirpate 
the wretched natives of Mexico, but we, more ruthless, loose 
these dogs ot war against our countrymen of America, endear- 
ed to us by every tie that should sauctily humanity. My Lords, 
I solemnly call upon your lordships, and upon every order ot 
men in the state, to stamp upon this infamous piocedure the in- 
delible stigma of the pubhc abhorrence. More particularly I 
call upon the holy prelates of our religion to do away this in- 
iquity ; let them perform a lustration to purify their country 
from this deep and deadly sin. My Lords, I am old and weak, 
and at present unable to say more, but my feelings and indigna- 
tion v;'ere too strong to have said less. I could not have slept 
this night in my bed, nor reposed my head upon my pillow, with- 
out giving this vent to my eternal abhorrence of such enormous 
and preposterous principles." 

We must now take a view of the southern army, and the still 
hard hand of oppression. 

On the first intelligence of the surrender of Burgoyne, Col. 
Hamilton was sent to Gen. Gates to solicit aid for the southern 
army. On reaching Gen. Putnam's camp, near the highlands 
on the Hudson, he found that a considerable part of that army 
had joined Putnam's corps, and that Gen. Gates had detained 
four brigades for an expedition against Ticonderoga and Mount 
Independence, which were held by the British. Having made 
arrangements with Gen. Putnam to send a division of his armv 
35 



'/r 1 AN AMERICAN FIELD OP SdAR9. 

to Strengthen the southern hnes, Col. Hamilton procetded ic 
Albany. Gen. Gates sent two biigadfts to ilie south lo rointorco 
Gen. Greeue on the IVIaware. 

On receivm? mttiliironce that the British, under Gen. Hcwe, 
had sailed from New- York, the Araertcan army soon corameu- 
ced Its march lor the Dehiwaro. Gen. Wa.<hin:;:ton saw through 
the intriinies ot" Howe, who leigned an attack on Boston, while 
Philadelphia was lus aim. Washinsrion, ever awake to his 
country's good, \\-;»s not to be deceived by ialsc ]n\'toiuf s. On 
tlie 3l^ih ol July Howe s phuis were d^vtlo^^ed his ! y lleet appe.-^.r- 
mg otf the Deiawaif. where it maiicevereil oil" and on, till tho 
7tli of August, wlien it appeared a low leagues to the south of 
tlie capes. By the ItUh he reaclieil the month of the Chesa- 
peake IJi\y. On the 21st tho conuniUider-m-w*hief received intel- 
ligence that the wliole British tieet, connuiuided by Gen. Ho\ve, 
having entered tin? Chesapeake, was sculiuvj ior tJie head of the 
Bay, with ii favorable wind. ^Vilhoul exponencmii- any delay, 
they entered Elk river, up which die AdniiriU proceeded as far 
as it w;is navigable. 

B<tilh f>f Brandi.nrine. 

On ihc 25:h the Bnns^h army, nearly eighteen thousand 
strong, landed at the ferry, witlunit any show ol' opjx^sition. 
Oa the 27th, Sir Wm. l^iowe, inarched with one division to the 
head of the Eik, and the next day advanced his van to Gray's 
hill; leaving Gen. Knyphausen. with tlireo brigades, at tho 
landing. Next day Knyp'uuisen was ordered to cross Uie terry 
and take post at Cecil court house, from which, place he was to 
marcli. on the east side of the river, and form a junction with 
Sir Wm. Howe, which he did on the third of iSoploiulvr, seven 
or eight miles from Christiana. 

Gen. VVasliiiisrton immediately cmiccrttxl measures to mot-^r 
the enemy. Concentrating what troops could be sivu-ihI from 
other posts througii the surrounding country, he miu-ched la 
force to meet his chivalrous antagonist, and, il possible, protect 



^ 



RKVOLrTlONAnV scenksssa 



,.i.i*liilade!phia from tlx) pestilontinl oppression which thmnt on. d 
hoT hh(3vry. 

From ilio landing of Sir \Vm, How. . ..,.;, ■ 27Th. to Saptein- 
? »ber lUh, tlie Ux-o coinmandors, Wnshiiisftou and Howo, piJepnr- 
€i\ for the h!o xh' oiUvnmtiM- of Brondywino. 

On the 1 Uh. wnichinc: fv.ch othov's inv^veiiicuts, these oliiiin- 
. ons of .\h\rs displayed the nbiliiifs of aWa eoniniandcrs. 
AVith one, the prayej-s df America rose to th$^ throno of* Jeho- 
vah for aid niKi triiunph ia tJio causa of liherly. AVith the oth- 
er, ]iroud anibiiion atui a hist for fnn5f>, wijh the fear of ihe 
frowr.s of a des|>otic deranox>orHr, andsneei's of kii)i;-s. <lo?ds and 
liobles only aUurcd him on VJ the bloody lield, ar.d the destruc- 
tion of thousands. 

Tht^ Amor'.caii strcujifth at this tinia consisted i^f about six- 
teen thousand, aud the British xv'oro sonxnyhat superior innnui- 
i):^. Thoclinncc lor riotory with Win.hin^^ton was nncortaiu ; 
vet to cJiccIc tlie British lion, and cover Philadelphia, was the 
Viisli of America, \\}io thonafht it best to try the. event and dt - 
«cido tlie la;e of the day by force of arms in a ireneral engage- 
ment. 

Accordingly, dispositions beinft ntade. and the combatants 
ready for death and destruction, in the morning- of the llth, 
soo'.i alter day, infonnaiion was received that the wliolc British 
nrmvwasin inotioti, advjuieinir on the- direct road leading" over 
Ohadd's ioid. The Amerieaas wore immediately under aims, 
aiid woiv ar ran pod in order of battle, for the pnrjx^se of contest- 
ing the {nssagx; oi \\\e river. The skirmishing InMu'eon the ad- 
vanced pailiossoon commenced; a».nl by ten Maxwell's corps, 
viih very little loss on either side, was entirely driven over tiie 
iJrcuidywine below tive lord. Knyphansen, who commanded 
tills column, paraded on the heijrhts. reconnoitered the Ameri- 
caii army, and by v;irious movements appeared to be mailing 
dis jx>sitio ns to torce a passage over the river. Every moment, 
the attempt v/as ex;>ei*teti to be made. A skirt of woods, with 
the river, divided thein from Maxwell's corps, small parties o( 
whom occasionally crossed o\ er, and Jveiv- uo witJi the>r • •-'*•-'• 



276 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

taring fire, by which not much execution was done. At lengjth, 
one of these parties, led by Capts. Wagi^oner and Potterfield, 
engaged their flank guard very closely, killed a captain, with 
ten or fifteen privates, drove them out of the wood, and were on 
the point of taking a field piece, which l.ad been placed there 
to annoy the light infantry. Tbe sharpness of the skirmish 
soon drew a large body of the British t«) that quarter, and the 
Americans were again driven over the Brandywine. 

About eleven in the morning, information was given, -which 
reached Gen. Washington about noon, that a large column 
with many field pieces, had taken a road leading from Kennet- 
square, directly up the country, and lind fallen into the great 
valley road south of the Brandywine and above its forks ; that 
they had then turned into. the valley road, and were marching 
towards Tremble's and Jeffrey's fords. This information was 
given by Lieut. Col. Ross of Pennsylvania, who was in their 
rear, and who estimated their numbers al about five thousand 
men. Col. Bland of the cavalry, who was also on the right, 
gave information about the same time, that he had seen two 
brigades advancing on that road, and that the dust appeared t» 
rise in their rear for a considerable distance. 

On receiving this information, Wafhiagton formed the bold 
design of detaching Sullivan and Lord Stirling, to fall on the 
left of the colunm conducted by Lord Cornwallis, while he 
should cross Chadd's ford 'in person, and with the centre and 
left wing of his army, attack Knyphriusen. In the critical mo- 
ment when this plan was to bo executed, counter intelligence 
was received, inducing an opinion that the movement of the 
British on their left had been merely a feint ; and that the col- 
umn under Lord Cornwallis, after making demonstrations of 
crossing the Brandywine above its forks, must have actually 
marched down the southern side of that river, to re-unite itself 
with Knyphausen. A major of the militia, who alledged that 
he left the forks of the Brandywine so late in the day that it 
was supposed Lord Cornwallis must have passed them by that 
time, gave assurances that there was no appearance of an ene- 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 277 

my in that quarter ; and some light horse who had been sent 
to reconnoitre the road, returned with the same information. 

The uncertainty produced by this contradictory intelhgence 
was at length removed ; and about two in the afternoon, it was 
ascertained that the coHmin led by Lord Cornwallis, which had 
taken a circuit of about seventeen miles, had crossed the river 
above its forks, and was advancing in jjrefit force. 

The proper disposition was immediately made to receive 
them. The divisions commanded by Sullivan, Stirling, and 
Stephen, took new ground ; advanced a little further up the 
Brandywine, and fronted the British column marching down 
ihat river. The division, lately Lincoln's, now commanded by 
Wayne, remained at Chadd's ford, for the purpose of keeping 
Knyphausen in check ; in which service Maxv/ell's light infan- 
try was to CO operate. Greene's division, accompanied by Gen. 
Washington in person, formed a reserve, and: took a central po- 
.sition between the right and left wings. 

The divisions detached against the column led by Lord Corn- 
v/allis, formed hastily on an advantageous piece of ground, 
above Birmingham meeting-house, with their left near the 
Brandywine, and having both fliaiks covered by a thick wood. 
The artillery was judiciously posted, and the disposition of the 
whole was well made. Unfortunately, in taking their ground, 
Sullivan's division made too large a circuit and were scarcely 
formed when the attack commenced. 

On coming within view of the Americans, the British army, 
which was advancing in three columns, instantly formed the 
line of battle ; and about half after four the action began. It 
was kept up warmly for some time. The American right, 
which was in some disorder, fust gave way. Their flight 
afforded the enemy great advantages over the remaining divi- 
sions, whose fiank was thereby exposed to a very galb'ng fire. 
They continued to hveck from the right, and in a short tune 
the whole line was routed. The right made some attempts to 
rally; but, on being briskly charged, again broke, and the flight, 
became general. 



279;*, V AN AMERICAN FIKLD OP MARS. 

On the first commencement of the action on the right, GeiK 
"Washington pressed Ibrward with Gen, Greene to the support 
of that wing. It was, however, impossible to get up, though 
lliey marched with the utmost rapidity, until the route of that 
part of the army had become complete. Yet he served to check 
the pursuit. After having covered the rear for a small distance, 
the 10th Virginia regiment commanded by Col. Stephens, and u 
regiment of Pennsylvania commanded by Col. Stcvx'ait, neither 
of which had been in action, v/ere posttd on an advantageous, 
piece of ground on tlie road takefji by the defeated army, for the 
purpose of cl'.ecking the enemy and securing the retreat. Tlieso 
orders were gallantly executed ; and the fire of these regiments 
made such an impres<Lion, as, in addition to the approach of 
night, niduced Sir William Hov/e, after dispersing them, to give 
over the pursuit. 

When the right was found to be fully engaged with liord 
(Jornv/allis, Knyphausen made dispositions lor crossing the 
river in reality. Chadd's ford was defended by on intrenchment^ 
and battery, with three field pieces, and a five and a half inch 
liowitzer. After some resistance, the work was forced ; and the 
defeat of the right being about that time known, no further op- 
position was made in that quarter. The whole army retreated 
that night to Chester, and the next day to Piiiladelphia. 

The loss sustained by the American in this action, has been 
estimated at three liundred killed, and six hundred wounded. 
Between three and four Imndrcd, principally the wounded, were 
made prisoners. 

.Is must ever ho the case in new raised armies : unusucd fa 
danger, and from which undeserving oflicers have not yet been 
e.xpelled, their conduct was not uniform. Some regiments, 
especially among those who had served the preceding carapoigny 
maintained their ground with the firmness and intrc))idity of tlui 
most disciplined veterans, while others gave way as soon ixs 
they were pressed. The authors of a very correct history of 
the war, speaking of this action, say, "a part of their troops, 
among whom were particularly numbered some of the Yirgini<x 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 279 

regiments, and the whole corps of artillery, behaved exceedingly 
well in some of the actions of this day, exhibiting a degree of 
order, j&rmness, and resolution ; and preserving such a counten- 
ance in extremely sharp service, as would not have discredited 
veterans. Some other bodies of their troops behaved very 
badly." 

The event of this day, though unfavorable to the American 
arms, did not abate the ardor of Gen. Washington and arnny to 
defend Philadelphia. Accordingly, dispositions were immedi- 
ately taken to annoy the enemy in their march, and arrest him 
in his progress to the Capital. By a second engagement, on the 
16th, Ge.li. Washington resolved to meet the enemy about 23 
miles Irom Philadelphia, near Goshen. Each army prepared 
for action. The advanced parties met, skirmishes commenced, 
wiien heaven interfered. A heavy storm commencing, becoming 
more and more violent, damaged their ammunition, and aoon 
rendered the retreat of the Americans absolutely necessary. 
■Gen. Washington made great exertions to repair the damages 
and stop the invader, but in vain. On the 26th, the British 
army made its triumphant entry into Philadelphia, and Congress 
retired before the conqueror, with the archives of our nation., to 
lianeaster. 

At Brandywine, the Marquis La Fayette \va.s wounded. Here, 
for the hrst time, this gallant youth met the foe of liberty. No- 
ble and generous by nature, great in danger, humanity in him 
found a friend, v/orthy the exalted character of a true Philan- 
thropist. At the early age of 18 years, ho espoused the cause 
of freedom, and quitted the ensign of royalty, and readily erti- 
barked in the perilous struggle of suffering America, 'i'lit' 
iJoddess of Liberty animated the breast and views of this young- 
heroic nobleman to jioble deeds. America may justly revere 
the worthy name of La Fayette ; and while time lasts, may 
rolling generations pay a tribute of gratitude to that youtlifui 
hero, now grown old in the cause of freedom, whose osetul life 
shall stand on the archives of fame, a living monument ct" 
greatness. Virtuous ambition, unawed by tyrants, unshaker i y 



380 AN AMERiCAX HIELD OF MARS*. 

threats, unfettered by superstition and bigotry, this youngnoblfe-' 
man possessed in an unusual degree. Such, Americans, was 
Ii.'i Fayette, a friend and aid to our beloved Washington. Such 
i<( the man whosa virtues speak when dead,- and live when 
laortal is no more. 

Count Pulaski, a Polish gentleman, whose greatness of soul 
rendered him conspicuous in the annals of America, and illustri- 
ous on her field of lame ; stained with the L ood of martyrs who 
died in the cause of liberty, whose noble blood, at Charleston, S. 
C, flowed from his veins to purchase freedom and seal the grand 
charter of Indcpt>ndence ; seeing oppressed America, resigned 
repose, opulence and ease, and volunteered, under Washmgton, 
to fight our battles and face the car of oppression, in the arduous 
struggle of from 1775 to 1782. Always ready at the point of 
honor, a second Kuosiusko, Poland m.ay boast, while America 
may shed a sympathising tear over her slain friend, and honor 
his memory, on her archives of remembrance, ns a martyr in the 
cause of indep'nidencc, a friend in time of need, and o pure phi- 
lanthropist to suffering humanity. And although dead, lie sdli 
lives, wliere generosity dxvells, and manly virtues swell, the 
liearts of Columbians. 

Adieu, departed shade ! Thy memory lasts, while thy suffer- 
ing country and countrymen claim our commiseration ; and 
may heaven soon break the yoke ofbondage, and restore peace, 
happiness aijd independence, to Poland, while the Russian 
Autocrat shall bow at the altars of freemen, and respect the 
names of Kuosiusko, Pulaski, Stanislaus, and other heroes, who 
dared oppose tlie v^/rathlul hand of tyranny. 

Lord Howe and army, now in Philadelphia, — Howe immedi- 
ately took measures to bring his shipping into the Delaware, 
which was impeded, by obstructions sunk in the channel by the 
Aincricans, to obstruct the passage. This was effected with little 
loss. Oije division of the l?ritish army was stationed at Ger- 
mantown, a village not far from Philadelphia. Gen. Washing- 
ton determined to attack this post the first opportunity that 
offered. Concentrating his forces, they amounted to eight thou- 
.stind rcnilars and throe thousand militia- 



Battle at Germantown. 

A'^rrangements being mtide and all things ready for the attempt, 
the army moved from its encampment on the 3d of October, at 
7 o'clock, P. M. About sunrise, next morning, the advance 
columns, commanded by Gen. Sullivan, fell in with and drove 
in a British picket, placed at Blount Airy; the main body, 
following upon their rear, commenced a sharp attack, which 
continued for some tim^e. The British pickets were driven in, 
and success seemed to fovor the American arms. Every thing 
had succeeded to the wish of Gen. Wasliington. Several brig- 
ades entered the town ; the British retreated, and hspes of a 
speedy victory were soon expected to be realized ; when the 
darkness of the morning, occasioned by a dense fog, threw the 
American trdops into disorder, and defeated the enterprise, whicli 
a i^vf minutes belbrc. had promised complete success. The 
British, recovering from their first surprise, rallied and formed, 
anew. Great efforts were made to rally the Americans, but all' 
groved inetiectual ; a general confusion prevailed, and a retreat 
made without loss. In this battle about two hiuidred Americans 
were killed, nearly four hundred wounded, and four hundred 
made prisoners. Amongst the killed was Gen. Nash, of North . 
Carolina. The loss of the British was little more than five 
hundred in killed and vv'ounded. Among the wounded wero, 
Gen. Agnew and Colonel Bird. 

This engagement was a lesson to Howe to keep close within 
liis 6wn lines. Dr. Franklin observed on Gen. Howe's cautious 
behavior after the Germantown surprise, that " Philadelphia 
had taken Howe." Auspicious events marked this eventful day. 
Great Britain, rallying al! her forces, determined to subdue her 
revolted subjects to obedience. The defeat and capf ure of Gen. 
Uurgoyne and army; the alliance with France; tlie sturdy 
valor of our own soldiers ; Lord Chatham's spirited address in 
the British Parliament, all betokened an interesting period in the 
annals of the world. America, rising in infancy against a pow- 
erful oppressor, had maintained her ground two and a half ye^s, 
3G 



2R2 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

aud had gained some iinportunt victories, and now stood deter- 
mined never to give up tin.' contest till independence crowueti 
her toils. All things threatened the downfall of tyrrany, and 
the triumph ol' liberty in the cause of virtue and emancipation. 



CAMPAIGN OF 1777. 



.\iixiety that night was wide awake, 

\or sleep, nor aiumber, fame alive could take. 

'Vhe active powers oC Washington eng"aged, 

Out-g-(!neraled this illustrious, warlike sage. 

Fires formed a bulwark, for his main design, 

In front extended all along his line, 

While silence reigned, and darkness veiled the sky, 

All nature slumbering, rests in harmony. 

The warrior's genius in the shade's alive, 

Nor slumber -sealed, nor darkness dimmed his eye. 

The vigilance of Washington surveys, 

His weakness to contend the victor's prize ; 

Decamped at midnight, gained a famed retreat. 

And marched lor Princeton, 'Wallis to defeat. 

At break of day, next morning under arm?, 

ilis lordship calls. The trumpet sounds alarm.^, 

Mars rallies all liis forces to the gaze 

Of smoking embers, and of lone highways. 

Deserted camps tell, tell the fatal news 

To Lord Cornwallis, to consult his muse, 

And learn from Erskine's energy and fame. 

That night may vanish to a morning's dream. 

Tiie sound of cannon from a distance told, 

Tile farce then acting to this vet'ran liold. 

At sun rise, met, the vans of foes engage, 

The 13ritish fly, o'erpowercd, with fiercest rage, 

Princeton surrenders, victory crowned our sons, 

While frijrhtened Britains hear the sovmd of gune. 

Brave General Mercer fell, among the slain. 

His country mourns. While mem'ry shall retain 

A lasting crown of laurels for the brave, 



784' AT^ AMERICAN FIELD OK MAllS;. 

Vrul drop a tear of sorrow o'er the grave 
Of worthies, slain, to free America 

From British edicts and her tyranny ; 

While generations rc;id, may giiUitudc 

Extend her views to fields whcfrn Heroes stood^ 

The fierce encountor of oppression's band ; 

Laid down tiieir lives, to pay the great demand 

That liberty has cost, now realized, 

Ot wealth the noblest, and the highest prize. 

Victorious W;ishington triumpliant leads 

Defiance to his lordship's artful trades. 

In consternation, 'Wallis sees his plans 

Out-generaled ; himself ar,d hostile bands 

Ijeft to consult their muse on winter's day. 

Retrace his steps and curse liis own delay. 

This brilliant victory cheered America, 

Spirits dejiressed, aroused ; resumi;d its sw;'y 

While animation rode upon tlie wind. 

New Brunswick soon receives the royal guest, 

While pondering thoughts disturb his nightly rest. 

Defeat and chagrin preyed upon his mind, 

Before his eyes, nightly displayed, his enemies behind. 

The o])'ning scenes of seventy sc\-en dis])lay 
Mars' bloody (lag, spread o'er the face of day ; 
M-irs, armed with wrathhil cnofines to destroy, 
And, satan-like, deceit his whole eniploy. 
THe camjiaign opens ; famous Tryon's sent ; 
With hostile force begins the great event, 
Like some great nabob, who, to show his power; 
Would soon himself, and mankind iialf devour. 
Fit body to fit head old Tryon bore, 
A torch of sulphur 'long Columbia's shore ; 
Lights Dan bury with its blaze, wliich rolls on high^ 
immortalized, his name, defunct, shall die. 



IHEVJOEaxrON'JlKY -SCENIC. 

.AGROSTIO. 

•^ raitor to: nitirre, , let' his name: be cursed, 
pi ecorded on earth, scrawls that turn to dust. 

•Kjon rising sun, blast, with its burning rays, 
On his ball'd head, the furyol" its bhize, 
SJightly beset by ghosts, and hell's irifernallays. 

Destruction marked the tyrant's mute career, 
.Smoke mixed with flames rolled hard upon his rear 
Pleased with the sight, like Nero, set his guards, 
While Rome's dire tragedy his eye rewards. 
He, like some demon of inferior rank, 
Bowed to his god, and his good fortune thanked. 
The stores of Danbury fill his wrathful hand, 
And wanton wasto, a Governor's command. 
But justice irowned, and thundered on his rear, 
While Arnold met him witli a storm of fire. 
.Amazed, he flees, all conscious of his guilt; 
Before his eyes is spread t;;*; blood he spilt:; 
'Death wanton rode behind his flowing car, 
And sports amid the horrid din of war. 
Slaughter precedes the bloody tyrant's sway, 
And murder crowned the horrors of each day. 
This bloody scene and murd'rous tragedy. 
Mourn, mourn thy sons that fell, America ! 
Brave Wooster slain, he dies, but not alone, 
Many a parent lost a worthy son. 
Long may their names, engraved on mern'ry, live, 
A life to freemen and our armies give ; 
And while in battle's rage, and camion's roar, 
With thrilling drums, and valhes stained with gore. 
Thy slaughtered sons in troops ascend the skies, 
May we, their valor fully realize. 
Great Britain to support her dignity, 
Her usurpation and her cruelty, 
Exerts her power to crush the rising flame, 
That liberty enkindles with her name. 



^^ AN AMERICAN FIELD OK MAHS. 

The ocean groaned beneath the cumbVous load 
Of war's huge engines, and .1 hirelinir brood. 
Tlie mountain waves, /Vom sFumber's long repose, 
In nngry mood, sullen around them rose. 
Huge fleets and armies, sliame must blush to see, 
This grand j)iir;ide lor huniYm butchery. 
Kind nature monrns as she ili«! scene surveys. 
And all the lam|)s 01' heaven seem to blaze 
With indignation and revengelul wrath, 
On Mars, and all the terribles of eartii. 
In human discord seems the dire contest. 
The storm's huge features thicken in the west. 
Terrihc frown itsslciited flanks advance, 
As fear and hope upon its surges dance. 

Burgoijni'S Expedition. 

General Burgoyne advanced with martial pride, 

A numerous host, with every mer.ns supplied 

To render awful, torrible to man.. 

And counteract the Great EternaPs plan. 

Ten thousand imm in death's employ advance, 

Old England's vet'rans, armed with swoid and lance,: 

Her northern air resounds with war's alarms, 

With thundering cannon, and oppression's arms ; 

While drums and trumpcits swell the solemn sound^ 

And martial pomp spreads all its terrors round. 

Columbia, calling on her sons. 

To arms ! to arms ! Your country now commands. 
Arouse! arouse! Your freedom's claim demands. 
Go ! meet the tyrant ; go, my sons, nor fear, 
Old England's vet'rans, nor their sword, or spear. 
Fear not their cannon's roar, nor trumpet's sound ; 
With shouts of victory let your fame be crowned, 
Go, under heaven's snpre ne, my battles iight, 
The Lord of hosts, your king, maintain your right, 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 387 

Let him be general of my men to-duy, 
And every soldier his command obey. 

Early in spring records Burgoyne's advance > 
Fame on swill wings spread like the lightning glance, 
A powerful armament of all supplies 
Of warlike stores, and Indians as allies, 
A numerous host of brave and active men, 
One half to die on Saratoga's plain. 
Like sheep to slaughter led, they know not where, 
To kill, be killed, in butchery's mad career. 
iSeven generals to command this mighty host, 
* Great George's servants, humanity's curs'd ghosts, 
Ambitious spirits — fatal to mankind, 
A blank to nature and to virtue blind. 
This mighty army and its arinnment, 
Sent to be actors in this great event, 
Lands at Crown Point, the early part of Juno, 
With colors flying, marching to the tune 
Of "God save the King ;" the British lions roar, 
Re-echoed back, her whelps are all on shore. 

Nineteenth of June, this royal force appears 
Before 'I'i'jondcroga's gates and bars. 
Pressed hard on every side St. Clair retreats. 
And leavey Burgoyno and all his warlike feats, 
On Mount Defiance, to concert his plans 
Of further pursuit, and sending forth his vans. 
Success aroused ambition, and the flame 
Of war, spread rapid through their lines; 
T'razcr pursues—at Castlcton o'ertook 
St. Clair retreating, where old etlier shook ; 
The battle ground, with yells and cannon's roar, 
That rent the air and stained the ground with gore. 
A sanguinary contest soon ensued. 
Unequal matched, conflicting parties stood ; 
Our troops beset with double numbers yield, 
And to the British quit the mournful field, 
Covered with dead, fruits of all victory ; 



fi/nt 'AMERICAN IPIELD OF MAKS. 

'War's greatness is, delight in butchery. 
^Oross'd o'er Lake CJoori;:e and lauded on that shore 
.Stained deqp in former wars with iVcemeu's gore. 
'Twas here Montcahn, black, blacl: with infamy, 
Witnessed a scene and cursed trajjedy, 
That even savages must blush to name, 
And to oblivion sink his warlike f;une. 

Burgoyne, pursues — our army on retreat, — 
Halt at Fort Ann, new orders to to await. 
Anxiety had lit the lamp of fame, 
Rekindled ardor and heroic flame; 
Aroused the latent s])nrk, and blew the fire 
Of war's dread hatred to a deadly ire. 
The approaching danger of a northern foe, 
Called lortli our veterans to its overthrow; 
Awake to frcedon)'s call, all flew to arms, 
And hasten to the field of war's alarms. 
Burgoyne and army, pressing on our rear, 
On Lake Chaniplain, in search of prey, appear; 
Triumphant ride before the gentle gale. 
While proud ambition swells her lofty sail, 
Anticipntcd hope, with fancy rides. 
And flattering prospects meet them on the tides. 
Victorious o'er our fleet, with colors flying, 
With martial pomp, and on their strength relying, 
Land at Skeensborough, and with courage bold 
Face every danger and possession hold. 

To Albany their warlik(^ road surveyed, 
Their charts are drawn and dispositions made, 
"To meet Sir Henry Clinton is the plan, 
But death stands fronting his exulting van. 
The storm's huge features thicken as it rolls, 
And cloudy vapors shroud its dusky folds, 
Agha.st with terror stands the embattled front, 
While death is ready his pale horse to mount. 
Destruction's vulture, hovering o'er her prey, 
The prowling wolf in couchant ambush lay ; 



REVOLUTIONARY SCElsfES. -^^y 

Mount iEtna trembles at its stem advance, 
While winged Pegasus on its visage pranced. 
No nerves unstrung, each armed with deadly ire, 
Tlie mountains smoke, and flame sulphurous tire- 
The cannon's roar rend other elements, 
And lame stands ready to record events. 
,0]i one side, Independence spreads her vv^ings 5 
The towering eagle in her talons brings 
A proclamation — wrote that all may see, 
In letters large, Ireedom and liberty. 
Auspicious waves her banner and declares, 
Her name a.nd character to freedom's heirs. 
Hef pleasing looks speak an angelic birth. 
And all hor ways are pleasing to tiie earth. 
The olive branch in one hand she displays, 
Poxxce and good will, and jubilee of days. 
She bears a mandate from the courts above 
Of friendship, charity, and perfect love ; 
The sword of justice in her other hand, 
Makes tyrants tremble at her stern comninnd ; 
Her veneration strikes the world with awe, 
Her claim is nature's frmdamcntal law. 
She calls, her sons most readily obey, 
And sign a contract, death or liberty. 

The other side displays territic power. 
The couchant lion^ skulking to devour'; 
The rights of nature, and to counteraot 
The sacred seal, that binds the great contract 
Low to tlie earth oppression's views confmed. 
Offspring of vice, the demon of mankind ; 
Its main supporters are a royal race, 
Tiiat hell's scorch pages wow Id on fame disgrace. 
Murder, ambition, and tyr^mnic rage. 
Fill up the list of every monarch's page ; 
Pride and ambition, -fatal to mankind, ! 

Are the pursuits that most of monarchs mind. ' 

Burgoyne, his master's orders to fulfil, 
37 



<iO0 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

Sent forth his servants under Capt. Kill, 
AHured by blood — Fort Ann the martial sceno 
Records the event upon her bloody green. 
Here musket shot, and cannon deafening roar, 
A siiarp contest, with garments stained witii gore. 
Raged for two hours; death, triumphant o'er the field. 
With murderous sway waved his two-handed shield. 
Success attends — Great Britain claims the day, 
Onr troops retire and leave the bloody fray ; 
And to fort Edward liasten with the news, 
While John Burgoyne liard on their rear pursues. 
Havoc and slaughter ruled with madeiiing sway, 
While wanton waste and murder was the play ; 
Bridges destroyed— obstructions filled the road, 
And man to man proved a chastising rod. 
Christians by name — by practice worse than thieves; 
Destruction's phrenzy was the dire disease ; 
Old Mars in front — Iiis veterans most agree 
To strike from earth thy name. Humanity ! 
Disorganizing nature, and her plan 
Is war's pursuit, and sinks tlio name of man 
To murderers, thieves, and the name 
Of nature,s madmen on the list of fame. 
July the 13th, all obstructions cleared, 
Burgoyne's advance is sounded by our guard ; 
While Gen. Sclmyler and council all agree 
To leave the fort to war's harsh destiny, 
Retreat to Saratoga's fertile plain, 
To wait the storm a-gathering round amain. 

Tlie foe's advance seen^d to obstruct the day^ 
And si)read its terrors o'er America ; 
Jimo retreats before tlic God of war, 
Who rides exulting on his bloody ear. 
Our bulwarks of defence arc doomed to fall 
■ Before their sword, and spear, and caunoa hall. 
Victory still urged the ruthless lion on 
To ruin's verge, allured by Syren's song. 



. REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 

America aroused— the lion's roar — ■ 

To arms ! to arms ! resounds, from shore to shore. 

Ilcr sons by thousands hasten to the field 

And summon Mars, his trophies gained to yield. 

Old veterans stagg-ered, and in dire commotion 

Saw yankee chains and letters last approaching. 

Fort Stanwix next the British force assail ; 
Here for the first their courage seemed to fail. 
St. Legcr, eager for renown in arms, 
The fort invests around vsriih war's alarms ; 
lie sends a summons, in a warlike form, 
Threatening destruction by a fiery storm, 
Which soon was answered in a prompt reply- 
Come on, come on, if you 'r prepared to die ! 
Brave Gansevoort sends terror v/ith his name, 
Leger retreats and joins his master's train ; 
The royal standard, flushed v/ith victory, 
Saw, for the first, its future destiny. 

Another feat of fortune soon is planned, 
Burgoyne, his Hessians, under Baum's command, 
Sends forth to Bennington, to take some stores 
Collected there from Vermont's verdant shores. ,' 
His troops in want — imagined these supplies i 

Might furnish him, and all his hired allies, 
With means to gain his destined rendezvous, 
And kill and slaughter all his yankee foes. 
Fluslied with the recent wreaths of victory, 
Fame lends a hand to aid his destiny ; 
Fortune forsook the lion's bold advance, 
While at his breast she aimed the glittering lance ; 
Minerva's shield protects Columbia's sons 
From battle's rage, and thunder of its guns. 

The Battle near Bennington. 

General Stark, his country's call obeys, 
Plies to her aid, the advancing foe surveys ; 
While time demands his energetic powers 



291 



292 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

To meet the event of fame's approaching hours,, 
Watching the movements of the enemy, 
He sends expresses through the country ; 
Calls the miUtia to the bloody field, 
To face the invader, and our rights to shield. 
August the fourteenth, ope's the bloody scene, 
Mars' stern advance was checked upon the green ; 
Green Mountain boys, heroic ardor fired. 
Ambition, through the ranks, each soul inspired. 
The advancing parties of each army meet, 
Commence the work of death along the street, 
While heavy clouds hung o'er the vault of day ; 
Skirmisli on skirmish ends the. bloody fray. 
The thunder's dreadful sound, re-echoing, shook 
Old ethpr's temple, and with wrath o'ertdok 
Destruction's car, and stopped the wrathful hajid 
Of war and bloodshed by divine command, 
llain in fierce torrents, on the filteenth pour, 
Deluged the ground, and washed away the gore 
Where many a father, son, or brother dear, 
Lay weltering in his blood and suftered here. 

The sixteenth morn had hardly flushed the skies,. 
When Mars awalve, with red and fiery eyes ; 
The cannon's roar, calls — and the rattling drum, 
The din of war, to arms ! to arms ! begun ; 
Sol's blazing chariot rose with fiery beams 
And spread his rays around the warlike scenes. 
When, Nature beheld the unusual flush of day. 
Stained with the carnage of the crimson ray. 
Humanity must blush — virtue aghast — 
Pity must weep, and mcLincholy fast — 
Pale fear must shudder, and the host of heaven. 
** Man is to man the sorest, surest ill " 
When reason forsakes, and man is sovereign still ^ 
Danger conceals, and compliments his foe, 
He sends the fatal tidings in a blow. 
All tilings prepared, blood's diGuions wait Ipx prey, 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENEa. 



293 



The listening elements, hushed in dismay ; 

Angels hovering o'er the fatal scene, 

That shortly must o'erspread this native green. 

A shower of cannon balls commenced the bloody fray, 
Smoke soon obscured the flaming orb of day ; 
'^i'he roaring cannon and the clash of arms, 
The rattling drums, and trumpets' hoarse alarms, 
lYith sight of death and groans of dying men, 
The rage of battle, and the sanguine plain. 
To view in prospect war's destructive scene, 
Must chill humanity with anguish keen. 
Confusion never saw, in wild uproar, 
Sight more detestable than human gore, 
On battle's field, where carnage clothes the ground. 
And death stands sending all his terrors round. 
In doubtful balance stood the odds of fight, 
liOng hung in even scale the murderous sight^ 
Valor supports each one to valient deeds, 
Heroic ardor every bosom feeds. 
The British Indians fly, confusion reigns, 
And slaughtered victims strew the sanguine plains ; 
The Hessians, in dismay, are forced to flee, 
And trust their lives to future destiny. 
Hundreds lay gasping from a mortal wound, 
While death was thundering from the cannon's mouth. 
Conquest and victory waved their bloody hands. 
Success to Stark, and hi.s brave yankee bands ; 
When reinforcements, under Col. Brechman 
Join'd Baum, Stark rallied to receive them. 

Each army roused, the combat soon renewed, 

And battle's rage the ground with dying strewed. 

Fierce was the onset, sanguine the contest. 

Sharp the dispute for victory and conquest. 

The Germans to superior valor yield, 

Retire and leave the sanguinary field. 

Artillery, baggage, and two hundred slain^ 



201 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

Seven hundred prisoners, are tlic trophies gained. 

This victory proved disastrous to Burgoyne. 
As in the sequel we shall shortly find, 
l^ortune of war rides on the wings of fame, 
Shifting its features with the torch of flaine, 
To-day the Goddess smiles — success attends, 
To-morrow frowns, and all her terrors sends,. 
Hot trophies stained witli blood, the robber's ])r>2C, 
Exalted fame grov.'S on licr sacrifice. 
The hero, crimsoned by his neighbor's blood, 
i^evcrcd with titles, and adored as God, 
)Sink9 to a madman, on the general plan 
That Heaven ordained, to fix the v/orth of man. 
.Stransfcto relate, and stranger still to find, 
TiiG warrior's breast, to all that 's human 's blind ; 
Kxaltcd nature, shudders to behold 
Fields stained with blood, and garments in it rolled. 
Ambition's rage, rules with an iron rod. 
And treads to earth all that exalts to God, 
The laws of nature drives from face of day, 
And Xerxes like, bids earth and sea obey. 
All earthly glory is consigned to dust, 
And her detestables shall meet it first. 
Pride, ostentation, rage, and war. 
All ride together on destruction's car. 
War, unliallowed war, thy fotal sway — 
Waste, havoc, slaugliter, mark thy way ; 
Death, wanton death, mows down thy marshaled raiik-s, 
Xor spares tliy rear, thy main, thy van, or flanks. 
The hovering; genius of America 
Urged on her sons, to fame and liberty, 
To tost the courage of the British foe, 
And deal destruction, to its overthrow. 
The name of Independence, seals the fate 
Of John Burgoyne, and registers the date 
Fatal to tyrants. Empress of Deity 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 2»J5 

Erects lior standard o'er America. 

The recent victories checlced Burgoyne's career, 

His veterans trembled, while approaching fear 

Sends forth her terrors, and her dread alarms 

Spread through his army ; all arc called to arms. 

"Dangers are thick'ning round the British foe ; 

T'o advance, destruction and their overthrow ; 

Ketreat impossible ! The chance of battle, 

The smoke of powder and the cannon's rattle ; 

The clangering drums and trumpets' hateful sound. 

While fields of dead and dying strew the ground ; 

Tlie clash of arms, and men in fierce array, 

Must now decide the fortune of the day. 

'Gates on his front and Lincoln on Itis rear, 

■Crecn Mountian boys on every side appear. 

Tims in a Cbpe-dc-main, this mighty ibc, 

.Strongly entrenched, waits the decisive blow, 

Which must decide their fate and destiny. 

On fame's vast record of its history. 

The Battle of the 19th of tSept., on Bemasi' Height, Saratoga. 

Three thousand men, die eighteenth of September, 
Were sent by Clates to rouse Burgoynefrom slumber, 
Who the salule declined — the bloody fray— 
Until the opening of the nineteentii day. 
5^<:arcc had the morn her rosy beams displayed. 
And Sol's advanee drove off the dusky shade. 
When Mars, exulting, thundered o'er the plain, 
And mustered his heroic, hostile train. 
Keaven saw the dreadful carnage of the day 
In prospect ; all its fury and dismay ; 
Sees death in triumph stalk the crimson ground, 
And o'er the field of carnage ride his round. 
The scouting parties of the advancing foes. 
By skirmishes, commence with deadly blows ; 
While rcmforcements reinforcement join, 



'^'♦ft AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS: 

Lead on tile armies to a general line. 
Jn furious rage each charge with dreadful ire ; 
Tlie thundering cannon vomits death and fire, 
While optics flame and smojic rolls home to heaven, 
And shov/crs of lead are like a tempest driven. 
'I'he groans of tlie -wounded and sight of the dying, 
The whizzing of balls continually flying; 
Death hovers around each moment in fear, 
What is seen is all terror, and all that we hear. 
The loud belching cannon the senses confound. 
The rattle of muskets and shrieking around, 
While each one's engaged to kill and destroy ; 
In havoc aud slanjjhter their hands find employ. 
The dreadfuls of earth with fury engage,. 
Wlien man shall on man, vent all of his rage. 
Yalor and skill display their talents here. 
In battle's mad, and bloodj'^, wild career ; 
Fiight hundred slaughtered victims bit the ground.:; 
With groans and shouts the distant hills resound. 

Night closed the scene ; each army quit Ihe field, 
The contest sore, the blood of thousands sealed ^ 
Til equal balance hung the dreadful Iray, 
I .eit the decision till another day. 
ISights balmy wings scarce any rest afllbrd 
To hostile foes, and war's destructive horde, 
Whose only aim is to concert and plan 
(Some act of treachery to deceive the man. 

HurgovTie's disasters thickened day by day ; 
Wants urge on wants, with terror and dismay :• 
Slaughter and death stand ready to engage,' 
And every day records destruction's page. 
llis Indian allies find his protfers vain, 
Desert his army and'our standard join. 
Insidious friendship only proves a curse, 
Like canker poisons, and like iron rusts. 
The laurels gained revived the drooping hope,. 
That olten trembled when the tyrant spoke. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENK&. 

Nine thousand men — sons of Columbia — 
Assembled at thy shrine, America ! 
Devote their lives their country to defend, 
And drive the invading ibe from freedom's land. 

The lion's courage soon began to fail, 
While Yankee forces all his powers assail. 
Ijurgoyne retreats, but all in vain ; lie finds 
The Yankees ready all along his lines. 
For sixteen days of dread and dire alarm, 
The hovering armies wait the eventful storm, 
('ontests sore, and skirmish day by day. 
Wanton destruction, were the dreadful play. 
All, fickle Fortune! fatal to mankind, 
Thy flattery 's false, as all that seek thee find! 
Delays are dangerous when the danger's near, 
As in the sequel plainly doth appear. 
Burgoyne saw ruin hang upon his rear ; 
His van beset, his main emerged in fear ; 
Death hovering o'er the standard of the brave; 
}i?hind the vulture, and before the grave. 
He. to Sir Henry Clinton sends express, 
And calls for help on George's favorite gucsi; 
liUt, ah, too late ! tlie threatened storms advance; 
O'erwhehiied his ranks and left their lives to chance. 
Hard pressed on every side, flight is in vain, 
Tlic battle's rape, and sanguinary plain ; 
l-'ollows retreat, while slaughter strews the ground^ 
And death is echoed in each solemn sound. 
Led on by valor, midst conflicting fire, 
The thundering cannon and terrific ire : 
The whistling balls and clouds of sulphurous smoke, 
That hurled destruction with a sudden stroke. 
Pity has lost all tender feeling here, 
Mercy has fled, and Mars brings up the rear. 
Hearts hard with rage, and brazen-faced designs, 
The savage in the human breast combines. 
He, who kills most, is honored most in fiime, 

3a 



2^r 



208 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

Illustrious only by a bloody name, 
(ireatness in battle, like elementary strife, 
Dies with its rattle, terminates with life. 
Day opens, but the bloody scenes of war, 
Alarms, alarms, are sounded from afar. 
The affrighted air rolls back the solemn souiid, 
And morn awakes to shew the bloody jrround. 
The god of war stands brandishimg his spear, 
And calls Iiis lieroes, who in crowds appear. 

JJatlle of the 1th October, 1777. 

'Vhe thundering cannon soon begins to play. 
And rolling smoke beclouds the blaze of day. 
Bargoyne and Frazer marshal all their iiost, 
(Commence retreat to gain some safer post ; 
But soon beset, the event of war must tr}-, 
While enrth's artillery shook the vaulted sky. 
Brave Arnold in the front of Yankee boys. 
Fearless engaged the lion's rattling noise ; 
Death through the ranks rode general that day. 
Commanding all his workmen to obey. 
No nerve 's unstrung; nor foe, nor valor fear, 
3iach one engaged in slaughter's mad career ; 
The prize of victory is the great contest, 
That raged predominant in the human breast. 
T'^ercc was the contest, bloody was the field ; 
Mars' bravest heroes to itr. fierceness yield. 
.Nature must long lament her slaughtered sons, 
And deep record her register of wrongs. 
Fatal ambition led her sons astray, 
Brave Frazer cried, as he a bleeding lay. 
A mortal wound ends all his earthly fame. 
And only left a record of his name. 
Memory long retains the virtuous brave 
Alive ; their merit shall outlive the grave. 
The honored foe, where sympathy doth dwell. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 29S 

The generous bosom must revere, and swell. 

Fame only brightens, virtue lights the blaze, 

That shines on nature's page a thousand ways : 

Illustrious only by illustrious deeds 

Ls he who lives, or for his country bleeds. 

Had Frazer, lilre Lord Effingham, returned 

His sword to George, his name might stand adorned 

With virtue's wreath : but, ah ! 'tis sad to tell, 

}ic in a battle of oppression fell. 

Sir James Clark a mortal wound receives, 

And to his God returns the loan he gives ; 

And hundreds more, in troops, ascend the air, 

Slaughtered, like bullocks, bouglit in British f:\ir. 

Yictory decides Burgoyne's renown and fate ; 

Success to Arnold, Lincoln, and to Gates. 

A wreath of laurels crowns this victory. 

Decisive of the claims of royalty. 

Burgoyne reduced, one half his veterans slain, 

Fatigue and danger urging on their claim. 

Surrender now the last alternative, — 

Submits to what his conquerors please to give ; 

(capitulates the thirteenth of October, 

And binds in letters Britain's royal rover. 

The treaty signed — arrangements being made — 
The British drums call all to the parade, 
While at the shrine of liberty they bow, 
<Jonfess her power, and her demands allow ; 
i?!iarch out ; lay down their arms as prisoners ; 
Hush their alarms under our stripes and stars. 
Gates takes possessiori of their camp and stores. 
And plants his standard on their warlike towers. 
The tune of Yankee-doodle leads their van ; 
Thus ends the great desi-rns of mortal man. 
In less than four months see this mighty host, 
Killed, murdered, slaughtered, nearly half reduc; , 
From i\ victorious foe to low submission, 
And humbly sue for terms as a condilion» 



^iOO AX AMERrCA-N' FIELD OF AfARS. 

Sncli Are the varying scenes of human life : 
To-da)-. the reason and the mind 's at strife. 
This points to all that 's great in man or God ; 
That to anticipate fame abroad. 
The mind is powerfnl only when it charms 
"With virtnous act, that virtue's son adorns. 
Not in the scenes of garments rolled in blood, 
Nor battle's rage, confusion o'er the flood ; 
JJiit peace and friendship, love and charity, 
Are seals of greatness with the Deity. 
God's special providence is here displayed ; 
In this event we see it full portrayed. 
Burgoyne's surrender frustrated the plan, 
Laid to enslave and crash the rights of rnaii. 
The miglity scheme of George and Parliament, 
Is new decided by the great event. 
Sir Henry sends, but, ah ! it ts too'latcy 
l^hree tliousand men to register tlie date. 
Up Ihidson river, designed for Albany, 
To reinforce the northern destiny. 
But fatal tidings, swift as lightning flew,- 
Met, at Esopus, 'Wallis, Vaughan and crew. 
Here ends the great projected, fancied schemes, 
And lords and kings are left to- muse on chains. 

Here to record and register the date, 
These wanton demagogues record the fatie 
Of John Burgoyne, on Hudson's pleasant shore : 
Esopus' flames their names to lieaven bore. 
A scorched scroll of inhumanity, 
Couched under war and tyrants' cruelty. 

The late victorious and exulting foe, 
The fates of war that with all armies go ;: 
Ambition only leads to danger's gates ; 
The order of another master waits. 
To Boston, under Yankee guards they march ; 
I'ortune has fled, and left them in the lurch. 
Five thousand and seven hundred active men. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 301 

Prisoners of war and under war's commands ; 

War's black history one sad story tolls ; 

Destruction's list her fatal mandate swells. 

In the short period of four months' time, 

The royal army of the northern line, 

By slaughter, sickness, nearly half reduced. 

Fame is false fancy, where all virtue 's lost. 

The northern guest now quiet in his cage. 

Tranquility resumed her tranquil stage ; 

And war's alarms, now sounding from afar. 

That late were echoed o'er the mountains there. 

General Gates, obedient to his trust, 

A friend in need, and in defence the first, 

Marches to Kingston — with Putnam's forces jbinsj 

To guard the country and defend, the lines. 

We shall now return to tlje southern department, and take a 
view of the campaign and scenes of war in tliat quarter. 



We shall return, ar\,d take a southern view, 
And recent dates again iA form pursue. 
New York, the rendezyou^ and famed resort 
Of British arms, and vessels in her port ; 
A powerful armament by sea a;nd land, 
A numerous foe composed this hostile banc^ ; 
America this martial train surveyed, 
The pomp and splendor of this grand parade ^ 
(?alls on the God of battles for relief 
In this dark hour, obscured by anxious grief. 
The cloudy horizon seemed big with dread, 
That o'er our arms in heavy columns spreo4. 
The air resounds with horrid dins of war, 
And black despair qame floating on her car. 
Mars rides ir^ tri^umph on the winged gale,. 
Discord hi? pleas\ire^ .09 J,and or under saiJ. 



?,{)2. AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

Heaven, all-propitious, saw America, 

Hard struggling with lh> grasp of tyranny, 

Aided by power, and mercenary bands 

To execute liis vengeance and commands. 

Stern justice can oppose his mad career, 

And o'er tlie claims of despots interfere. 

The mighty strides of Britain's Parliament, 

The haughty tone that with their armies went, 

Seemed to presage no tones Init low submission, 

To kings, and lords, and dukes, and their condition. 

6re/i. Howe sails for the Chesapeake, — ihe Battle of Bron- 
di/wine, ^c. 

July the twenty-third, auspicious day, 
Hov/e sailed from York. Old ocean in dismay 
Groaned underneath the ponderous weight and load 
Of war's huge engines, and a liireling brood. 
" To count them all requires a thousand tongues. 
A throat of brass, and adamantine lungf;.*' 
The sea — a forest — floats before the gale, 
With canvas spread, in warlike grandeur safi 
On Neptune's empire. And the deep profound 
Heard the wild uproar, and the martial sound. 
The murmuring waves retire at war's advance ; 
Blood demons rise and on its billows dance. 
Sixteen thousand, arm^d in death's employ, 
Led on to butcher, murder, kill, destroy ; 
Two hundred sixty sail spread their broad wing«. 
Freighted with terror, and her thousand stin"-s, 
Death sailed as admir.il of this mighty fleet, 
In a black vessel o'er the rolling deep ; 
Faithful attendant, worthy of his trust, 
Earth's heavy scourge, and meet him soon we must- 
This private expedition, and its plan. 
Designed to crush the honest rights of man, 
Horrid its character, butohcry its aimj. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. SO^i 

Sailed southward to exult in future fame. 
Wiiile Washington, whose watchful eye surveys 
The gathering slorm, in all its dark amaze, 
Sees Philadelphia's danger, and the foe 
Advancing rapid to its overthrow, 
Great in all danger, to her aid he flies ; 
Courage and fortitude his want supplies. 
The God of battles smiled upon his son, 
Who, in adversity, more brightly shone. 
Howe hovering round our coast for several dayS; 
His martial power in pride and pomp displays : 
Enters the Chesapeake ; triumphant rides. 
While fancy paints her victories on her tides. 
Tiic sight displays oppression's wrathful pov/er, 
TJic tyrant's strength the feeble to devour ; 
The man outrageous to the laws of God, 
And justice changed for the despotic rod. 
The waves in angry mood the navy bore, 
Along Columbia's deserted shore, 
While cannon shook the elements belov/. 
And fear stood gazing on the advancing foe. 
Ask, kind reader ! ask of heaven why. 
This grand parade for human butchery ? 
Can Christians in such horrid scenes engage. 
And war, against the checks of conscience wagc^ 
As if grim death, unable to destroy 
Men fast enough, an agent would employ. 
Can man to man prove such a chastening rod. 
And all claim mercy at the hand of God 7 
Te Deum sing for blood-stained victory. 
Degrade a God with songs of cruelty? 

The scene disclosed, the British army land ; 
Elk river ferry floats the hostile band, 
With drums and trumpets sounding, to the shore. 
Amid the din of arms and cannon's roar ; 
While Washington marched, without loss of time, 



304 AN AMERICAN -FIELD OF MARS. 

To meet the foe near fur famed Brandywine, 
Arrangements being made, night's sable shade' 
Spreads o'er the vault its ancient hue displayed. 
The demon of destruction, wide awake, 
The carnage scents, that shortly must oYrtakc 
The slumbering arnriies, lulled to balmy rest, 
That ere another ni^^^ht must sec distress. 
The wounded, dead and dying hear the sound 
Of wars tremendous, shakes the solid ground. 
The day's advance the empurpled east displays, 
And Sol's bright chariot sends his distant ray». 
Aurora's blush tinged the empyreal blue, 
And nature all her charms in form renew. 
When JMars, advancing, calls on all to arms ; 
The thundering cannon sounding forth alarms ; 
Tiie trumpet's echo o'er the distant hills. 
The listening ear with martial music fills. 
September eleventh records the bloody day; 
Tliat sends disaster to America. 
Thousands awoke this morn to wake no more. 
Ere eve advanced, their bodies, stained with gore, 
A lifeless corse, stretched on the bloody ground, 
No more to rise till the last trumpet's sound. 
The vulture, havoc, hovering o'er the field. 
The flying bjumers and the glittering shield ; 
The clash of arms announce the approaching scene, 
That sliOTtly must o'erspread the vivid green. 
Death sudden starts, begins the bloody fray, 
"While roaring cannon sweep the ranks avMxy. 
Smoke rolls to heaven, and in its colurems bear, 
Departing souls by hundreds througli tlvd air. 
Each side for cOncjuest, and for victory 
Fought sore, and claim a page in history. 
Death strewed the ground with dead and dying men. 
The rattling musket, wounded, and the slain. 
The shouts of f ictory and the trumpet's sound, 



rtEYOLt'TTO^JARY SCENES. O','^ 

Float o'er the field and shake the solid ground. 
All, all conspire to fill the mind with dread, 
And o'er tiie scene its thrilling- horrors spread. 
The contest sharp, blood-stained the sanguine field, 
Our heroes to superior numbers yield. 
Washington retreats and leaves the ground, 
Covered with carnage, and the mournful sound 
Of wounded, bleeding, djring, mangled men. 
Calling for help where friendship's nearly vain : 
lietires into the hilly country, 
To watch the movements of the enemy ; 
Who, flushed with victory, marched with martial pride, 
With colors flying, and with means supplied 
To oppress the oppressed, and heavier bind in chains 
The conquered foe, and triumph in their claims. 
For Philadelphia Howe, victorious, marched. 
His genius muses, while his reason searched, 
The rights of conquest ; with ambition holds 
A tragic dialogue, that truth unfolds. 
Thou shalt not kill, oppress, nor steAl, — commands, 
Which God in justice from each one demands, 
Conscience must here resign her ancient station. 
And unto conquerors yields the conquered nation. 
Philadelphia soon capitulates. 
And on the twenty-sixth records the dates. 
Howe with his oflicers and marshaled train, 
Takes full possession in his master's name. 
Before this mighty host, Congress retires 
To Lancaster, to meet our veteran sires ; 
In council to consult the general plan, 
To rouse ambition, to awake the man. 
That gallant youth, the Blarquis La Fayette, 
A volunteer, at Brandywine first met 
The foe of liberty. With ardor charmed, 
His generous breast of every fear disarmed. 
Exalted greatness stamps her worthy name 
39 



'MW* AN AMERICAN FIELD OP MA R»* 

On this y'oung hero of ilhistrious fame ; 

Noble by birth, noble by nature too, 

Humanity's first friend in him we view. 

When danger hovered o'er America, 

The all-protecting hand of Deity 

Called on this young pliilanthropist, who heard 

And at the shrine of hberty appeared ; 

S«es her a weeping o'er her children dear, 

And pity, bathed in nature's friendly tear. 

Mothers and sisters, with heart-rending cries, 

Pierce the blue vault ; to God ascending rise. 

Fired with ambition to revenge our wronsfs. 

His nol)le nature woke in martial songs ; 

Gtuits all the ensigns of his royalty, 

To fight thy battles, oh America ! 

Congress receives this youthful volunteer, 

And compliments him, as a friend sincere, . 

With a commission under Washington, 

Of Major General, and her worthy son. . 

France long may cherish, in historic fanie^ 

The honor La Fayette may justly claim. 

America, with gratitude, may join, 

And to posterity his worth consign. 

Wounded, he shrank not to oppose the foe; 

Faced every danger till its overthrow ; 

Restored peace, with Independence crowned ; 

Earth hailed the day, while angels bear the sound!, 

Triumphant home, departed ghosts to cheer, 

Who bled and died, to pay a debt so dear. 

Read to your children, fathers, and relate 

The meritorious feats of La Fayette, 

"Vyhose youth, whose life and character agree, 

To rank his name, earth's first philanthropy. 

Where virtue's charms command the youthful heartsr. 

The sympathising tear .of love imparts, . 

That rouses-a,!] the actions to a.flame, 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENEST. 3©7 

To share a part, and ease the sufferer's pain. 
The Count Pulaski, famed on history's page, 
A volunteer in freedom's cause engaged. 
Distinguished feats of military skill, 
At Braiidywine, gained Washington's good will ; 
And C<»ngress to reward the generous brave, 
Arid give to valor what its worth conveys, 
As Major General claims him as our son;' 
Kecords his fame and what his valor won. 
Poland may boast her hero's high renown, 
While liberty shall wear the civic crown ; 
An;l ages yef unborn- revere the sage, 
Who lost his life wlnle in our cause engaged. 
May heaven reward his liberality, 
And crush the Russian bands of slavery ; 
Oppression's chains sink to oblivion's cell, 
And send the tyrant with his chains to dwell ; 
Raise liberty's bright emblem in the s]:y, 
That all may see her rank with Deity. 
Ijor4 Howe, to execute further designs. 
To guard his enemy and defend the lines,. 
Orders his shipping up the Delaware, 
Ilis passage to the ocean to secure. 
While Washington, whose ever watchful eye. 
With vigilance theii' moveinents alt descry ; 
And like a Hannibal of moctern age. 
Employ's his talents as a warlike sage ; 
To check the tyrant, and to keep in play 
Howe and his army iii the infernal fray; 
To clip [lis wing^, and'cut off his supph'es, 
And on his flanks attack him with surprise, 
Was studioiMy his airri, and' main design. 
To scourge the foe aiid' keep Him in his liiu\ 

" ' .■.■■T-.llft 1)1, 

The Battle of Germantoicti, Oct. 4. 

October iourtli, about the dawn of day, ^ , 

At Germantown, where Howe's main army Tfty,. 



JOS AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

Washington's advance, the bugle sounds, 
The echoing air with clash of arms resounds. 
Scarce had the sun arose to gild the field, 
When Mars came thundering, armed with sword and shield. 
The rattling drums, to arms, to arms, resound, 
While roaring cannon shake the solid ground. 
The horrid din of war rolls through the air ; 
Confusion reigns in all her black despair. 
Death from their slumbers roused the veteran band; 
Rode o'er the field and waved his fatal wand. 
Success attends, and victory seemed our own ; 
The first fierce onset wore the victor's crown. 
The British foe, surprised, began to break, 
And in confusion, a retreat to make. 
When the pursuit received a partial check. 
The British rallied, and renewed the attack. 
A heavy fog obscured the blaze of day. 
Proved a disaster to America ; 
Who, in their turn, retreat and leave the ground, 
Covered with carnage, and the doleful sound 
Of battle's rage, in all its mad career. 
Where all is dreadful which we see or hear ; 
Abandon victory so fairly won. 
Which cost both armies many a worthy son. 
Havoc and slaughter is all martial play, 
A scene of terror is each bloody fray. 
The watchword, death, and victory the slain, 
Confusion's rage. The wilds of chaos reign. 
This lesson cautioned Howe to guard his linos, 
And not to venture o'er his own confines. 
In Philadelphia snug his lordship's penned, 
»His winter quarters, and his sole command. 
Doctor Franklin in satires allow, 
That Philadelphia had taken Howe. 

Auspicious day, propitious the event, 
Heaven saw the scene and straight Minerva scttt. 
Her royal banner, freedom atld liberty, 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 309 

Waves o'er the scene that all on earth may see. 

Nations astonished view the rising sun, 

Spreading its lustre o'er the work began. 

Conspicuous councils and a nation new, 

[llustrious birth, a gazing world may view. 

Eartli'.s renovating guest from heaven appears, 

And in lier visage all that 's pleasing wears. 

l''ranco first salutes our rise from slavery, 

And sends her sons to aid America ; 

Receives us to a rank as her ally ; 

With liberal views grants us a large supply. 

Her armies sends to fight in freedom's cause, 

And teach all tyrants to respect her laws. 

The campaign closed, bat war's huge features wore 

Terrific frowns, and jaws crimsoned with gore. .-.■-. ■* ., 

Mars, through the winter, all his thoughts employ, V ,'•Trt^ 

To kill, to murder, plunder and destroy. 



CAMPAIGN OF 1778. 



Seventy-eight commenced with the liritish army under corn- 
/mandof Gen. Howe, in Philadelphia, Sir Henry CUnton, in N. 
York; and tlie American army, under our o^allant chief, nt 
winter quarters at Valley Forge. The genius ot America, 
cheered with the pleasing prospect of success ; high expectations 
were entertained of the final result of the contest. The union 
thai seemed to unite all parties in the common cause, was fiat- 
v^ing. America saw hor dignity fast advancing in the scale ol 
nalions — returned thanlcs to almighty God for his protectinij 
care, while fathers, mothers and their children join in the uni 
vcrsal joy that pervades the land. Independence illummatcc> 
the western hemisphere, and the cheering angel of peace smiles, 
hovering over our suffering country. The great author of nat- 
ure takes command of our armies, and seems a father to our 
cause. 

The power of omnipotence is visibly seen in the display of 
the events unfolding to mankind. Crowns and scepters, dig- 
iiiiios and honors, must bow, and acknowledge the inherent 
right of man. The vaunting boasts and pride of man is mor- 
tal, and must die with him; immortal honors must arise from 
•virtuous fame. The various scenes of 17 TS, that now lie in 
■vision, and ere twelve months must be leafized, must fill the 
contemplative mind V\rith thoughts that demand a serious cen- 
gideration. Armies marching, cannon roaring, trumpets sound- 
ing, death and destruction clothing the ground with a bloody 
vest, shortly must and will result from the vile passions and 
h(;ate<l imaginations of a deluded soldiery, and ambitious, tyr- 
aunical, and oppressive officers. Thousands and tens of thous- 
ands, ere the expiration of another year, must return to God. 
'liThe loan received at birth returns — as the sentence denouncod 



UEVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 311 

ttl creation is, -"from dust thou art," (man know thy birth,) " and 
io dust thou shalt return." 'Lamentable indeed is truth, told 
ioud as thunder to the living. Nature, deaf as adders, hardly 
hears, and full as hardly believes, what time must and will un- 
fold. How can sworn enemies on earth, imbittered even to the 
laking of life, meet before their heavenly judge, having just 
butcliered each other, and whose command is, •' thou shalt not 
l:ill." Shall maddening passions break the laws of heaven and 
l^^o unpunished? 

The campaign opens with the engines of destruction in mo- 
tion. England, on hearing of our alliance with I'rance, resolv- 
ed la carry iire, slaughter, massacre and dcvastaiion into all parts 
•<if America, and subdue by ^rce what they Vv^erc unable to jier- 
i'orni by threats. I iOrd North nor Bute, with all the thunders 
of ills Satanic majesty, could make little impression asfaiust 
united freemen. 

Gen. "Washington, ever v/atchfui of his own, and liis country ".•< 
honor, stood ready to front the threats and advances of proud 
oppression. Awake to his own danger,, and more than half sub- 
dued, (*ien. Howe, saw it imposible to continue in Pin!adelphi;i, 
and made arrangements accordingly. It was not easy lor Vvusii- 
ington to determine the views of Sir William, iiis movements 
equally denoted an expedition to the south, or an embarka.iou 
ior New- York, or for marching through New- Jersey by land ti> 
New-York. The latler was the opinion of our gallant chief. 
An arniy of forty thousand men was called lor by government, 
for. the present campaign. The division of this force for the 
various purposes of delending our sufferina;, county to tlie boi 
;ul vantage, was a matter of difticuliy in the pref;ent crisis. At 
this period, Gen. Howe, whose prudence in military tactics euLi- 
tles him to the iame of a worthy general and consummate otificcr., 
resigned his command, and Sir Henry Clinton succeeded him. 

In this state of things, certain intelligence was brought to 
head quarters, that the greater part of the British army had 
crossed the Delaware, and that the .residue would soon follow. 
The opinion of the general officers was requir-ed on the ccurs* 



31-i MS AMERICAN FIELD' OF MAU3. 

proper to be pursued. All eoiicurrcd in deeming it inadvisable 
to attempt to take possession oi' the works about PliJladelplua 
till they were entirely abandoned. 

Philadelphia Evacuaied. 

nVj active operations of the campaign of 1778, commenced 
on the part of tiie British on the 13th of June, when Sir Hen- 
ry Clinton evacuated Philadelphia, crossed the Delaware, .and 
encampdd on the Jersey shore. Washington, always ready, 
and as a son of liberty stood at the helm of independence, suui- 
itianvd a council of war. The opinion of the general officers 
was requested, what course it was best to pursue. Washington 
favored the idea of a general engrtirement. Of seventeen gene- 
rals, only two, Wayne and Cadwailadci:, sanctioned his views, 
] iH Fayette said little, but silently espoused the motion. Gen. 
(.ireene was disposed to risk more than the majority of the 
council would sanction. The new tdliance with France. 
aroused tlic spirit of America, and seemed to presage the happy 
result anticipated by the country. The American army wa;> 
jiow equal in number and rather superior to tlic British. Gen. 
Lee thought it criminal to hazard an action, and that a defeat 
would endanger our independence ; to this he argued that our 
•army ought not to be exposed, and that a partial engagement 
mi^ht bring on a general one; which was Wa'shington's Mash. 
Gen. (5rcene said the country must be protectetl, and if in its. 
jirotection an engagement should become necessary, it would 
iustify the motive. According to the best information, the Brjt- 
'v:\\ army aniounted to ten thousand effectives, and that of the 
Americans to ten or eleven thousand. The foreign generals 
were moetly opposed to a general engagement ; but Gen. Wash- 
inf»-ton thought his country's good required it at this crisis. Sir 
llenry Clinton, by his movements, seemed willing to be overta- 
ken, lie proceeded slowly through Haddonfield, I\lount Holhv 
Slabtown, and Crosswicks, to Allcntown and Imlaytown, whicli 
place he reached on the 24tlu 



KEVOLTi^TlONAUY SCENES. 313> 

Gen. Washington kept possession of the high ground in Kevr 
Jersey which enabled him to retain a choice of either coming: 
to, or avoiding an action. He crossed the river on the 22nd^ 
Gen. Arnold, whose wound was not sufficiently healed, com- 
manded in Philadelphia. The British army now encamped at 
Allentown, and the main body of the Americans at Hopewell. 
Notwithstanding the current opinion of the officers against a 
general action, Washington, with a mind of firmness, a temper 
enterprising as well as cautious, could not be persuaded that 
with a superior force, he hazarded much by bringing on a gen- 
eral engagement. 

Thus far the route taken by Sir Henry ClinlOLileft his future' 
destination uncertain. New- York or the Highlands might bo 
iiis object. Washino-ton summoned a second council, the result 
was, cis before, a peremptory and decided negative to a general 
action ; but it was agreed to strengthen the corps on the flanks 
of the enemy, and to act as occasion might, require. Although 
opposed by a majority of his oflicers, Washington was still ol 
the opinion that his country demanded the test of strength.. 
v.diicli he thought adequate to the task,, and was unwilling to 
shrhik from his duty. Supported by the private wishes of some 
ni his officers, whom he highly valued, he determined to tak& 
the responsibility upon himgelf,. and promptly prep^u'ed to meet 
his antagonist, and try his chivalric bravery in a general inter- 
view at Monmouth. 

Hearing that the enemy were on their march for Monmouth, 
Washington resolved to strengthen his lines, and detached Gen. 
Wayne with one thousand men for that purpose. The troops- 
In front of the main army were at least four thousand men,. 
Washington ordered a Maj. General to command them. 

This duty Maj. Gen. Lee had a right to claims but as he de- 
clared himself openly against hazarding a partial action, and 
expecting that in conformity to the advice, signed by all the 
general officers then in camp, without one single exception, that 
nothing further would be attempted than to reconnoiter the en- 
emy and restrain plundering parties, he showed no disposition 
40 



314 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MAKS. 

to assert his claim, unintentionally promcftingthe private wishes 
of Washington. Gen. hee yielded this important service to 
Ija Fayette, who was ordered inunediately to proceed and form 
a junction with Gen. Scott; to use the most effectual-means to 
gain the enemy's left flar>k and rear, and give them every de- 
gree of annoyance in his power. He was directed to trtke such 
measures, in concert witii Gen. Dickenson, as would most im- 
pede the enemy in his march. For this purpose he Vs'as to at- 
tack, as occasion offered, by detachments, or, if circumstances 
required it, witii his whole force. This disposition and arrange- 
ment manifested the intentions of the commander-in-chief, they 
could hardly fail of bringing on a general engagement. Gen. 
Wayne openly espoused the measure, and 'I^a Fayette, olthough 
against seeking a general encounter, was in favor of a pariiai 
one. He was accompanied by Col. Hamilton, who felt a strong 
desire to forward the wishes of the commander-in-chief Gen. 
Washington immediately moved to Cranburn, in order to bo 
ready to assist, as occasion might require. He reached that 
l>lace about nine o'clock on the 26th. The intense heat, o 
fJiower of rain, and want of provisions, prevented the arm}' 
from resuming its march that day. The advanced corps had 
taken a position on the Monmouth road, live miles in the rear 
of the enemy; with the intention of attacking them next morn- 
ing on their march. This position was found too remote, and 
too far on the left to be sup{)orteJ in case of an attack, and or- 
ders were £;cnt to La Fayette to file off towards Englishtown, 
These orders were executed early in the morning of the 27th. 
(xen. Lee, apprehensive that the movement indicated something 
more than he at first conceived, and that his honor was in dim- 
2rer, beofan to reoret his decision, and solicited the command'h'* 
liad declined. To relieve the feehngs of Lee without wound- 
ing those of La Fayette, Geii. Washington detached him with 
two brigades to Englishtown to support the Marquis ; he would 
of course have the command of the whole front division, wliioh 
would soon amount to five thousand men ; but it was express- 
ly stipulated that if any enterprise had been formed by La Fay- 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 315 

■ette, it should be carried into effect as if the commandino" officer 
had not been changed. To those conditions Lee acceded, and 
with two brigades joined the front division of the army, the 
whole encamped at Englishtown, and the main army encamped 
about three miles in the rear, Col. Morgan's corps still hovering 
on tlie right flank of the British, and Gen. Dickenson on their 
left. 

iSir Henry Clinton had taken a very strong position. He lay 
on the high ground about Monmouth court-house, having on 
his leit a small wood, while his right was secured by a thick 
one, and a morass running towards his rear ; his v/hole front 
was covered by a wood, and for a considerable distance towards 
tJie left, by a morass. 

This position seemed unassailable, and the British army was 
within: twelve miles of the high grounds about Middletown, af- 
ter reaching which, they v/ould be perfectly secure. Under 
these circumstances. Gen. Vv^ashington determined to attack their 
rear the moment thoy commenced their march. This determin- 
ation was immediately communicated to Gen. Lee, v/ith orders 
to make his dispositions for the attack, and to keep his men con- 
stantly on their arms, that he might be in readiness to take ad- 
vantage of the first movement of the enemy. About 5 o'clock 
in the morning of the 28tl), intelligence-was received from Gen. 
■i)ickenson, that the h'ont of the British army was in motion. 
The troops were immediately under arms, and orders sent to 
Gen. Lee to move on and attack their rear, unless there should 
l>e powcrml motives to the contrary. He was informed at the 
same time, ill it the whole army would be put in motion to sup- 
]K»rt him. The 27th, Sir Henry perceived from the appearance 
upon his fl.-aiks and rear, tlin.t the Americans were determined 
on a general cngagemcnr. and ^were advirmcing hard upon ::•:.> 
rear ; changing the order of his march, he prepared for the con- 
flict that shortly must ensue. While nature sat lamenting the 
tolly of mankind, the war-like chieftains were busi'y employed 
m arranging their armies for butchery. The soliloquy of 'k- 
rnerica, beholding the awful tragedy displayed in vision, yet to 



310 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS 

be unfolded, must excite those emotions in the breast, more easy 
to be conceived than described. Lanijuage is too feeble to de- 
tail the horror, confusion, and uproar of a battle. The feelings 
must be raised to the highest pitch of courage, to face in dread 
array a tempest of iron and lead, that outstrips the winged gale, 
spreading destruction to the right and left, murdering by com- 
mand, and rendering miserable the existence of frail, mortal 
man. 

T)ie Battle of Monmouth, fought June 28, 1778. 

On receiving the orders tliat had been given the preceding 
evening and repeated etirl^ next morning-, Gen. Lee made his 
arrangements for carrying into execution the orders of the day. 
and soon after the rear of the enemy was in motion^ he prepar- 
ed to attack it. Gen. Dickenson, at the same time, was ordered 
to detach some of his best troops to take such a position as to 
co-operate with Ijce ; and Col. Morgan was ordered to act on 
their right tiank, with so much caution as to be able to extricate 
himself if necessary. 

Lee appeared on the heights of Freehold soon after the enemy 
had left them, and following the British into the plain, gave di- 
rections to Gen. Wayne to attack their covering parly in the 
rear so as to halt thein, but not to press them sufficiently either 
to force them up to the main body, or to draw re-inforcements 
from thence to their aid. In the meantime, he proposed to gain 
their front by a shorter road on their left, and entirely intercept- 
ing their communication with the line, to bear them off" before 
they could be assisted. 

While in the execution of this design, a gentleman of Gen. 
Washington's suit came up to^gain intelligence, and to him, 
Lee communicated his present object. 

Before he reached the point of destination, there was reason 
to believe that the (Jiiemy were approaching in much greater 
force than had been expected. The intelligence on this subject 
was contradictory, and the face of tlie country, which was a 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 317 

good deal covered with woods, was well calculated to conceal 
the truth. He, therefore, deemed it advisable to reconnoitre 
them in person, and to satisfy himself, from his own view, oi 
their numbers. 

Sir Henry Clinton, soon after the rear division was in full 
march, had received intelligence that a column of the Ameri- 
cans was on his left flank. This being a corps of militia, wa: 
soon dispersed, and the march continued. When his rea 
guard had descended from the hills, he saw it followed by 
strong corps, soon after which, a cannonade upon it was con - 
menced from some pieces of artillery commanded by Col. Os- 
wald, and at the same time, he received intelligence that a re- 
spectable force had shown itself on both his flanks. Believing a 
design to have been formed on his baggage, which in the defiles 
through which it was to pass, would be considerably exposed, 
he determined, in order to secure it from the danger with which 
it was threatened, to attack the troops in his rear with all his 
force, so vigorously as to compel them to call off" those on hit 
flanks. This induced him to march back his whole reardivi- 
sion, which movement was making, as Lee advanced for the 
purpose of reconnoitering, to the front of the wood which ad- 
joined the plain that had been mentioned. He soon perceiveil 
himself to have been mistaken in the force which formed the 
rear of the British ; but he yet proposed to engage on that 
ground, although his judgment, as was afterwards stated by 
himself on an inquiry into his conduct, disapproved of it ; there 
being a morass immediately in his rear, which could not hn 
passed without difficulty, and which would necessarily impede 
the arrival of re-inforcements to his aid, and embarrass his re- 
treat should he be finally overpowered. 

This was about ten. While both armies were preparing for 
action, and performing those previous manoeuvres which each 
deemed necessary, Gen. Scott (as stated by Gen. Lee) mistook 
an oblique march of an American column for a retreat ; and in 
the apprehension of being abondoned, left his position, and w- 
passed the ravine in his rear. 



SI'S AN AMERICAN FILLD OF MARS. 

Being himself of opinion, that the ground on which the arrar 
was drawn up was by no means favorable to them, Lee did not 
correct the error Scott had committed, but directed the whoK? 
detachment to regain the heights they had passed. 

He was pressed by the enemy, and some slight skirmishing 
ensued during this retrograde movement, in which not much 
loss was sustained on either side. 

When the first firing announced the commencement of the 
action, the rear division of the ariny threw off their packs, and 
advanced rapidly to the support of the front. As they approach- 
ed the scene of action, Gen. Washington, who had received no 
inteUigence from Lee notifying his retreat, rode forward ; and 
about noon, after the arnjy had marched about five miles, to hLs 
utter astonishment and mortification, met the advanced oorj>s 
retiring before the enemy, without having made a single effort 
to maintain their ground. Those -.vhorn he first fell in with, 
neither understood the motives which liad governed Gen. Lee, 
jior his present design; and could give no other' information 
than that, by his orders, they had fled without fighting. 

Gen. Washington rode to the rear of the division, whidi ho 
found closely pressed. There he met Lee, to whom he spoke in 
terms of some warmth, implying disapprobation of his condnof. 
He also gave immediate orders to the regiments commanded by 
Cyol. Stewart, and Lieut. Col. Ramsay, to form on a piece of 
ground which he deemed proper for the purpose of checking tho 
enemy, who were advancing rapidly on them. Gen. Lee was 
then ordered to take proper measures with the residue of his 
force to stop the British column on that ground, and the com- 
mander-in-chief rode back himself to arrange the rear division 
of the army. 

These orders were executed with firmness. A sharp conflict 
ensued, and when forced from the ground on wliich lie )iad 
been placed, Leo brought off his troops in good order, and wa* 
tlien directed to form in the rear of Englishtown. 

The check thus given the enemy atlbrded time to dfaw up tho 
Jelt wing and second line of the American army on an eminence, 



REVOLUTIONAR^Y SGENES. 319 

partly ill a wood, and partly in an open field, covered by a nK>- 
r.^iss in front. Lord Stirling, who commanded the left wing, 
brought lip a detachment of artillery commanded' by, Lieut. Col. 
Carrington with some field pieces which played with considera- 
bleeflect on the enemy, who had passed the morass, and were 
pressing on to the charge.. These pieces, with the aid of several 
parties of infantry detached for the purpose, effectually put a 
htop to their advance. The American airtillery were drawn up 
in the open field, and maintained their ground with admirable 
firmness, under a heavy and persevering fire from the British 
field artillery. 

The right wing of the army was for the day commanded by 
Gen. Greene.. To expedit ; the march, and to pre vent - t h e ^fefte-. 
my from turning the right flank, he had been ordered to^^off •■ 
by tiie new church, two miles from Englishtown, and to fall 
into the Monmouth road, a small di^ance in the rear of the 
court-liouse, wliile the residue of the army proceeded directly to 
that place. He had advanced on this road considerably to the 
right, and rather beyond the ground on which the armies were 
now engaged, v/hen he was informed of the retreat of the party 
commanded by Lee, and of the new disposition. of the troo}.»s 
occasioned by that circumstance. He inmiediately changed his 
route, and marc'iing up with the wing he commanded, took an 
iidvanta2"cous position on the right. 

Finding themselves warmly opposed in front, the enemy at- 
tempted to turn the left flank of the American ai"my, but were 
repulsed, and driven back by parties of infantry detached to 
oppose them. They then attempted the right with as little sue- 
oess. Gen. Greene had advanced a body of troops with artille- 
ry to a commanding piece of ground in his front^ which not only 
disappointed their design of turning the right, but severely, en- 
filaded the party which yet remained in front of the left wing. 
At this moment. Gen. Wayne was advanced with a body ot 
infantry to engage them in front, who kept up so hot and well 
directed a fire of musketry, that they soon gave way, and with- 
drew behind the ravine, to the ground on which the first halt 



■320 AN AMERICAN FIVLD OF MARS, 

had been made, where the action had commenced immediately 
alter the arrival of Gen. Washington. 

Here the British line was formed on very strong ground. 
Both flanks were secured by thick woods and morasses, while 
their front could only be reached through a narrow pass. The 
day had been intensely hot, and the troops were very much 
fatigued. Notwitstanding this circumstance, and the difficulty 
with which the enemy could be approached, Gen. Washington 
resolved to renew the engagement. For this purpose, he order- 
ed Brigadier Gen. Poor, with his own and the Carolina brigade, 
to gain their right flank, while Woodford with his brigade, should 
turn their left. At the same time the artillery were ordered to 
udyance and play on them in front. These orders were obeyed 
It^^M&acrity, but the impediments on the flanks of the enemy 
were ^6 considerable, that before they could be overcome, and 
tlie troops could approach them near enough to commence the 
attack, it was nearly dark. Under these circumstances, it was 
thought most advisable to defer further opera/.ions until next 
morning. For the purpose of commencing them with the re- 
turn of light, the brigades which had been detached to the 
flanks of the enemy, continued on their ground through the 
night, and the other troops lay on their arms in the field of bat- 
tle, in order to be in perfect readiness to support them. Gen. 
Washington, who had through the day been extremely active, 
and entirely regardless of personal danger, passed the night in 
his cloak in the midst of his soldiers. 

In the mean-time the British were employed in removing 
their wounded. About midnight, they marched away in such 
silence, that their retreat was effected without the knowledge of 
Gen. Poor, though he lay very near them. 

As it was perfectly certain that they would gain the higli 
grounds about Middletown before it would be practicable to 
overtake them, in which position they could not be attacked 
with any advantage ; as the face of the country aflforded no 
prospect of opposing their embarkation ; and as the battle al- 
ready fought had terminated in such a manner as to make a 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. '32) 

general impression favorable to the American arms; it was 
thought advisable to relinquish the pursuit. Leaving the Jer- 
sey brigade, Morgan's corps, and M'Lanc's command to hover 
about them, to countenance desertion, and protect the country 
from their dcpradations, it v/as resolved to move the main body 
of the army to the Hudson, and take a position which should 
effectually cover tlie important passes in the highlands. 

The commander-in-chief was highly gratified with the con- 
duct of his troops in this action. Their behavior, he said, af- 
ter they recovered from the first surprise occasioned by the un- 
expected retreat of the advanced corps, could not be surpassed. 
Gen. Wayne was particularly mentioned. His conduct and 
bravery, it was declared, merited peculiar commendation. The 
artillery too were spoken of in terms of high praise. Both the 
officers and men of that corps wlio were engaged were said to 
have distinguished themselves in a remarkable manner. 

The loss of the Americans in the battle of Monmouth was 
eight officers and sixty-one privates killed, and about one hun- 
dred and sixty wounded. Among the slain were lieutenant 
colonel Bonner of Pennsylvania, and major Dickenson of Vir- 
ginia, botfi of whom were much regretted. One hundred and 
thirty were missing ; but of these, a considerable number after- 
wards rejoined their regiments. 

In his official letter, Sir Henry Clinton states his dead and 
missing at four officers, and one hundred and eighty-four pri- 
vates ; his wounded, at sixteen officers, and one hundred and 
fifty-four privates. This account, so far as respects the dead, 
cannot be correct, as four officers, and two hundred and forty- 
five privates were buried oa the field by persons appointed for 
that purpose, who made their report to the commander-in-chief; 
and some few were afterwards found and buried, so as to in- 
crease the number to nearly three liundred. The uncommon 
heat of the day was fatal to several on both sides. 

As usual, when a battle has not been decisive, both parties 
claimed the victory. In the early part of the day, the advan- 
tage was with the British ; in the latter, with the Americans. 
41 



322: AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MAKS. 

lyEstaing^s arrival with the French Fleet. 

Gen. "Washington's attention was now turned toward the 
Hudson river. But before he reached the place he intended to 
occupy, intelligence was received that Count D'Estaing, with 
a powerful French fleet, had arrived on the coast of Virginia- 
The Count had sailed from Toulon, the 13th of April, witli 
twelve sliips of tlie line, and six frigates, with a respectable land 
force on board. His destination was the Delaware, and san- 
guine hopes were entertained that he would find the British 
fleet in that river. 

The joy throughout America on their arrival was universal ; 
the toils of war seemed nearly at an end, while liberty and inde- 
pendence re-echoed in every part of the Union., 

The British fleet had just sailed from the Delaware, and in 
safety reached -New- York ; a lucky incident for Sir Henry, five 
days earlier would most certainly have entrapped the Biitisii 
squadron, and cut ofl' its retreat from the Delaware, where a. 
coup-de-main would have been the result. 

Providence now seemed to smile on our beloved country, her 
arduous struggle consolidated our countrymen into one repub- 
lic, whose determination was liberty or death. 

On reaching the capes of the Delaware, the Count D'Es- 
taing announced his arrival to Congress. Having failed to ac 
complish his first object, he proceeded along the coast to New- 
York, in the hope of being able to attack the British fleet in the 
harbor oi that place. Immediately after the arrival of the 
Count ofl" the Hook, he dispatched Maj. De Channing, a gentle- 
man of his family, to Gen. Washington, to communicate liis 
views, and his design of attacking the British fleet. Col. Ham- 
ilton was immediately dispatched to wait on the Count and lay 
before him Washington's ideas of the enterprise. The general 
was appreiiensive that the water on the bar at the entrance ol 
the harbor was not of siiflicient depth to admit his ships to pass 
witliout great danger; m that case the siege ol New- York 
would be hopeless. 



RlfiVOLUTlONAllV SCENES. 323 

hi the preceding winter Gen. Sullivan had been detached to 
<;ommand the troops in Rhode-Island, where, if the expedition 
aprainst New- York tailed, it was thought by the aUies, to turn 
the attention of the French fleet to co-operate with Gen. Sulli- 
van in the reduction of Newport. As the opinion that an at- 
tack upon New- York would be unadvisable gained strength 
li"om overy quarter, it was laid aside as rashness, in consequence 
•of the impossibility of crossing the bar at the Hook. The 
"Newport expedition was next on the list of adventures. Coiint 
D'Estaing hoisted sail, after laying eleven days at anchor off 
Sandy Hook, and tlie British in New- York, in anxious gazes 
of dread and fear, had the pleasure of seeing the French castles,^' 
«f destruction sail south, and soon disappear. 

Sir Henry Clinton, apprehensive of the safety of Newport, 
had detached a considerable number of troops from his army in 
New- York, to reinforce Gen. Pigot, who commanded on Rhode- 
Island. The British garrison there am.ounted to six thousand 
men. The main body lay at Newport. The American army 
inider Gen. Sullivan, lay on the main land, about the town of 
I'rovidencc, ready to cross to the Island'as occasion should re- 
quire. 

On the 28th, Count D'EstEiing and fleet appeared off Point 
Judith, and anchored in tlie main channel, and blockaded the 
harbor. Gen. SulliA'an went on board the fleet, and measures 
were immediately concerted for an attack. Gen. Pigot concen- 
trated his force at Newport. The French Admiral agreed to en - 
ter the harbor, with his fleet, and land his forces, to co-operate 
with the Americans; while Sullivan and army, were to land ou 
the opposite shore and form a junction with the French, when • 
an attack should be made on the enemy by the joint forces of the 
allies. Measures being accordingly arranged, Gen. Greene 
marched a detachment of the army to. Tiverton. 

Aug. 2Sth. Animation seemed to rouse the nation ; voiim- 
toers from every part, flocked to our standard, while the genius 
of our nation seemed to awake, and soar above the idea of sla- 
rish oppression. Ten thousand soon assembled at the shrine of 



324 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS, 

liberty, to fight the invader, and then convey the news of victo- 
ry, home to their families and friends. 

Count D'Estaing, according to arrangement, entered the chan- 
nel, and passed the British batteries into the harbor, with but 
little damage. Owing to the militia's not arriving in time, Gen. 
Sullivan and the Count postponed the attack to another day. 
Gen. Pigot, with promptness, prepared for the approaching 
storm. The 9th, agreeable to arrangement, Gen. Sullivan cross- 
ed the channel and landed on the north-east end cf Rhode-Isl- 
and. The Count resented this movement as having been done 
without his knowledge, and some altercation took place, which 
after some delay was settled. He accused Lieut. Col. Fleury, 
a French oflicer who delivered him Sullivan's letters, in justifi- 
cation of the movement of the army; of being more an Amer- 
.icanthan a Frenchman, and preferring the interest and honor of 
America to that of France. The Count D'Estaing was aland 
as well as a sea officer. While this was doing, the British fleet, 
commanded by Lord Howe, hove in siglit, and anchored off" 
point Judith. Anxiety was now on tip-toe, and stood viewing 
the scene. Two mighty fleets in contrast, the land army, near- 
ly ready to begin the work of death ; pity a weepmg, while Mar.s 
stood exulting in his bloody trophies, wild ambition, and a 
thirst for earthly fame, made man forget himself, and take the 
tiger's heart of Bengal, to ^destroy his own species, which na- 
ture forbids and beasts only obey. Intelligence and reason is 
here, only employed to provide means to kill, murder and des- 
troy, which God, and all the tender feelings of humanity forbid. 
Shall weak man counteract laws, human and divine? At the 
time the British fleet anchored off Judith point, the wind blew 
into the harbor, so that it was impossible to get out. The next 
morning the wind shifted to the north-east. 

The Count instantly determined to sail out and give his lord- 
ship a French salute. Previous to his leaving Newport, he in- 
formed Gen. Sullivan, that on his return he would land his 
troops as that oflicer should advise. 

Tlac French fleet sailed out of the harbor with a wind that 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENlES. 325 

blew directly on the British. They had of coursCj the weather' 
gage, which being deemed by Howe too great an advantage to be 
added to their superior weight of metal, was an objection, for 
which he determined to contend with all the skill and judgment 
he was master of. He therefore weighed anchor and stood to 
sea ; he was followed b}?" D'Estaing, and both fleets were soon 
out of sight. The militia had now arrived, and Sullivan's ar- 
my amounted to about ten thousand. It was determined to com- 
mence operations against the enemy immediately. 

On the 12th, before this determination could be put in execu- 
tion, a furious storm came on from the north-east, which blew 
down and almost ruined all the tents, rendered the arms unfit 
for service, and damaged the ammunition, of which fifty rounds 
to a man had just been received. The soldiers having no shel- 
ter, several perished in the storm. On the return of fair weath- 
er, and as soon as circumstances would permit, the army moved 
towards the lines, and encamped not three miles from Newport. 
As yet, no intelligence had arrived from D'Estaing. The situ- 
ation of the American array had become critical; reinforcements 
Irom New- York, might easily be thrown into Newport, and not 
only defeat the enterprise, but render a retreat difficult. On the 
19th, the French fleet came in sight, and joy animated the 
Americans — though their rejoicings proved to be short lived. 
The two Admirals had spent nearly two days in manoevering 
without engaging. When on the point of commencing the con- 
test. Heaven interfered, and the storm that raged so on shore, 
scattered, dispersed, and damaged both fleets, so that little was 
done ; some single ships engaged, but nothing decisive occur- 
red. In a shattered condition, one returned to New- York, and 
the other to Newport. 

A letter was immediately sent by D'Estaing, informing Gen. 
Sullivan that in pursuance to orders from his King, and the 
advice of all his officers, he had determined to sail for Boston to 
repair his fleet. This determination prostrated Sullivan's high- 
est hope. Success, without the aid of the fleet, could hardly be 



326 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

expected. Gen. Greene and the Marquis La Fayette were 
instantly dispatched to wait on the Admiral, with a letter ironi 
Gen. Sullivan, remonstrating against his resolution, and the 
almost certainty of success, provided he would co-operate with 
him for two days. They portrayed the danger ot the naviga- 
tion over the shoals of Nantucket, with the Heet in its shattered 
condition, and ihe facility witli which it mi?ht be repaired at 
Newport ; and that, in case a superior British fleet should arrive, 
Boston otlered no advantage over Newport. It might with equal 
ease be blockaded, and could not so easily be defended. To 
these considerations, Gons. Greene ard La. Fayette added that 
the expedition had been undertaken on the ground that the 
French fleet and ajmy should co-operate with the Americans; 
that stores of all kinds had been brought to the island, and to 
abandon it would be a heavy expense to the nation, and a dis- 
grace to their arms. To be deserted at this critical juncture 
would cast an odium on the new alliance, and give their inter- 
nal, as well as common enemies room to animadvert on the 
prospect of assistance. Tiicy concluded with wishing that the 
utmost harmony might subsist between the two nations, and 
tiiat the common cause might not be interrupted by private 
prejudice. But all arguments proved unavailing — tlie Count's 
determination could not be shaken. Gen. Greene, in making 
a representation of this conversation, throws the blame princi- 
pally on the land oflicers bclonginof on board the fleet. D'Es- 
taing was both a land and sea officer, and not very well beloved. 
On the return of Gens. Greene and La Fayette, Sullivan weus 
chagrined beyond measure. The failure of the enterprise wai; 
now certain. The anticipation of a speedy triumph over an 
enemy, almost within his reach, was blasted in a moment, and 
his proud spirit could hardly brook the reverse. He addressed 
a second letter to the Admiral, remonstrating against his with- 
drawing from the enterprise, and pressed him, in any event, to 
leave his land forces. Lieut. Col. Laui«ns, the bearer of tiii.s 
letter, was also charged with a protest, signed by all the generijj. 



REVOLTfTlONARY SCENES. 327 

■ officers of the American army in Rhode-Island, except La 
Fayette, remonstrating against the measures in terms of great 
earnestness. The fleet having sailed, a swift sailing privateer 
was engaged to take Col, Laurens on boai'd and pursue it. He 
soon overtook the Count, and delivered his dispatches. That 
officer was much displeased with the protest, and continued las 

• voyage to Boston, 

Gen. tSullivan's Retreat from Rhode- Island. 

Thus abandoned, Sullivan called a council of war, to consult 

' on future measures — to attempt the siege, or evacuate the island. 

The latter, alter some deliberation, was agreed upon. Accord- 

mgly, on the night of the2Sth of August, Sullivan broke up his 

■ camp before Newport, in great silence, and retired to the fortified 
works on the north end of the island. The rear was covered 
by Cols. Livingston and Laurens, who commanded parties on 
both the east and west roads. Early next morning, the retreat 
being discovered, the enemy pursued in two columns, and soon 
overtook, on their respective roads. Cols. Livingston and Lau- 
rens ; when smart skirmishing ensued, and the retreat was slow- 
ly directed to the fortified camp, where the main army lay. 
These orders were executed with judgment, and the action 
continued till the Enoiish were led too near where the main 
body of the American army lajr, which was drawn up in oxdcv 
for battle near their emcampment to receive them. 

The British formed on duaker Iiili, a position strong by na- 
ture, and more than a mile in front of the American line. Sul- 
livan's rear was protected by strong works, and in his front a 
redoubt. In this position a cannonade from both armies com- 
menced, and continued some time. Several skirmishes took 
place in iront of both lines. About the middle of tlie afternoon, 
the enemy advanced in force, attempting to turn the right flank, 
ruid made demonstrations to dislodge Gen. Greene, who com- 
manded the right wing. Four regular regiments were moved 
forward to meet them ; but these not being strong enough to 



328 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

check them, Gen. Greene advanced with two regiments of con- 
tinental troops, and Lovell's brigade of militia, when the action 
became '.varm for a short time. 

Col. Livingston's regiment was ordered to reinforce the right, 
and after, a sharpengagcment of about half an hour, the British 
gave way, and retreated to Q.uaker hill, where they had first 
formed. The cannonade was renewed and kept up till night. 

The American troops displayed great firmness on tliis occa- 
sion. Gens. Sullivan and Greene both speak in terms of the 
1 ugliest commendation of the gallant conduct of Cols. Livingston 
and Laurens, especially the Icitter. 

According to the official account, returned by Gen. Sullivan, 
our loss in this battle, in killed, wounded, and missinij-, was 211. 
T!ie loss of the enemy, as stated by Gen. Pigot, was 260. The 
next day a cannonade was kept up by both parties. The Bri- 
tish waited for a reinforcement. Sullivan received intelligence 
from the commander-in-chief that Sir Henry's plans indicated a 
design to reinforce the Britisli army, and cut off his retreat. This 
reinforcement, consisting of four thousand men, commanded by 
Sir Henry in person, was delayed by adverse winds, till a letter 
IVom Gen. Washington, giving notice of its sailing, was received. 
Arrangements were immediately made for leaving the island. 
All things being prepared, on the 31st, at 6 o'clock. Gen. Sulli- 
van gave orders to be ready for a retreat. And his whole army 
rrosscd over, under the shade of night, and landed on the conti- 
nent by 2 o'clock in the morning, with all their artillery, bag- 
gage, and stores. 

Never was retreat more fortunate. The next day Sir Henry 
Clinton arrived; and the return of the American to the conti- 
nent, had it not been effected at the time it was, would have 
then been impracticable. The conduct of Sullivan was highly 
applauded by the commander-in-chief, and Congress returned 
liim thanks for this timely and prudent retreat ; they also de- 
clared their thanks to the officers and men under his command. 
The excitement occasioned by the failure of this enterprise was 
very considerable. Count D"Estaing not co-operating, as was 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 329 

expected ; his sailing to Boston to refit his fleet alter the storm, 
and some altercation and misunderstanding between the allies 
was doubtless the principal cause. The prudence used by 
Washington and other American officers, allayed the ferment, 
and restored harmony. 

The storm under which the French fleet suffered so severely, 
considerably damaged the British under Lord Howe. They 
soon refitted, and were ready to put to sea. Having received 
information that Count D'Estaing had sailed from Boston, 
Lord Howe sailed for the same port, in hope of reaching it Ix'- 
fore him. In this he was disappointed. On entering the Bay 
he found the French fleet already in Nantasket road, in so judi- 
cious a posture of defence, that after reconnoitering their posi- 
tion, lie relinquished the idea of an attack, and returned to 
New- York. On his arri\^al, he found that several war ships 
had just arrived from j^Europe, and that Admiral Bj'ron was^ 
expected every day from Halifax. He resigned the command 
to Admiral Gambler, till Byron arrived. Sir Henry, finding 
that Sullivan had left Rhode- [sland, returned to New- York,, 
leaving Maj. Gen. Gray with the troops, with orders to conduct 
an enterprise to the eastward as far as Buzzard's Bay. 

Gray entered Acushnot river, destroyed a number of priva- 
teers and merchantmen. On the Stir of September this worth- 
less incendiary ordered Bedford and Fairhaven to be destroyed' 
by fire, which was nearly accomplished, together with a large 
quantity of stores and merchandize. The next day, before the 
militia could collect to op]>ose him, he embarked the troops un- 
der his command and sailed to Martha's Tineyard, where they 
destroyed several vessels and some small works, robbing the in- 
habitants of three hundred oxen and ten thousand sheep. "While 
this gang of royal incendiaries and public thieves were sporting 
with sufferings, and plundering the coast of New-England, pre- 
parations were making in New- York for some great expedition. 
Soon after Gen. Gray's return with his army to New York, the 
British army moved upon eacli side of Hudson River in great 
force. The column on the west side, commanded by Lord 
42 



330 AN AMHUICAN FIELD OF RfARS. 

Cornwallis, consisted of about five thousand men, While that 
on the east side, commanded by Gen. Knyphausen, consisted ol 
about three thousand, extending about the same distance from 
the Hudson, and so situated as to unite at a short notice should 
tlie American army advance in force against them. Washing- 
ton conceived their principal design to be forage, yet, jealouu 
of their plan to seize the passes in the Highlands, he ordered 
a detachment on the lines to be ready should an emergency of 
tiiat nature take place. 

Col. Baylor, whose regiment of cavalry had been stationed 
jibout Paramus, crossed the Hackensack early on the morning 
of the 27th September, and had taken quarters at Taupr.un. 
Notice of this was immediately given by the tory party to Corn 
wallis. who formed a pl.in to surprise tiiis corps. Gen. Gray 
was detached with orders to attack the cavalry, and Lieut. Col. 
Campbell, to go against the militia. Campbell's enterprise waa 
defeated; but Gen. Gray, led by some malcontents who perfect- 
ly understood the ground, eluded the patrols, got into the rear 
of a sergeant's guard which had been stationed at a bridge over 
the Hackensack, and surrounded and cut off the party, without 
alarming Baylor, after which he surprised the whole regiment. 
The British troops rushed upon them in a barn Avhere tliey ^lept. 
and refused to give quarter, bviyoneting all that fell in their pow 
er : of one hundred and four, sixty-seven were killed, wounded 
or taken prisoners. The number of prisoners amounted to a- 
bout forty. One of Gen. Gray's Captains, more humane than 
his blood-thirsty leader, saved a few of the devoted band. Cols. 
Baylor and Clough Vi-cre both wounded, the latter mortally. 
Three days after, Col. Richard Butler, assisted by Lee's cavalry, 
fell in with Capt. Donop and one hundred and lifteen of the en- 
emy, on whom they mode a furious charge, killed ten on tho 
spot and toolc about twenty prisoners, without losing a man. 
This seemed a small retaliation for Baylor's massacre. Having 
completed the forage, the British returned to New- York. A 
British expedition against Little E<rg Harbor completely succeed- 
ed : destroying all tlie shipping in the harbor, with the stores. 



HBVOLUTIONARY SCEWK8. 33"! 

nhTfchandizc, etc. Count Pulaski was ordered to march from 
IVcnton towards Little Egg Harbor, and then was encamped 
ill the country, eight or ten miles from that place, with three; 
t'.oniplete compimics of loot, and three of horse, when one Juliet, 
a British deserter who had inlisted in Pulaski's corps, deserted 
and carried mttelligence of the strength, situation, and design 
ot the American army. A plan was immediately formed for 
its destruction, which was nearly effected so far as the infantry 
was' concerned, who were mostly butchered by tfiat infamouu 
rascal, Ferguson, and his myrmidons of cruelty; Count Pulas- 
ki, charging them with his cavalry, saved a few. 

Admiral IJyron reached New- York and took command of the 
'fleet about the middle of September. After repairing his shat- 
tered squadron, he sailed in October ibr the port ©f Boston, for 
the purpose oi blocking up Count D'Estaing. He had been 
hut a short time in the bay when fortune again disconcerted all 
his pi.'^ns. A funous storm drove him out to sea, and damaged 
his ileet so materially that he was forced to put into the port of 
Khode-Island to refit. D'Estaing sci'/cd the favorable moment, 
and on the Srd of November sailed for the West Indies. About 
tl)is time the Marquis dc La Fayette, ambitious for fame on an- 
other theatre, was now desirous of returning to France. He 
iHipposed it probable that v/ar might break out on the continent 
of Europe, and was desirous of tendering to his king and his 
own country Ins services. From motives of real friendship, 
and political reasons. Gen. Washington was desirous to have 
him remain in our service, and retain his oilice, and strengthen 
his attachment to the American cause. He wished that the 
Marquis would retain his commission, and have unlimited lea>-^j 
oi absence to return when he pleasc^d. and might carry with 
him every mark of the confidence of our government. To th.ls 
policy Congress readily assented, and added their highest enco- 
miums for his past services, by flattering resolutions. Their 
confidence in the Marcpiis was not misplaced ; ho cherished the 
liighe^st regard for our cause and country; our welfare and pros- 



352 AN AMERICAN KIELU OF MARS. 

perity engrossed the energies of his noble mind ; fatigaie and 
danger, by sea and land he was ever ready to encounter lor our 
sakes ; generosity found in him a son, humanity a friend, and 
need a ready supporter. The good Samaiitan manifested his 
character fuliy in this young nobleman. 

Tiie campaign of 1773 nearly at a close, and no appearance 
o{ an active winter's war, a detachment of five thousand men 
under Col. Grant, sailed the same day Count D'Estaing sailed 
from Boston, conveyed by six ships of war commanded by Com. 
Hotham, for the West Indies. Another expedition sailed for 
the southern states, comiuanded by Col. Campbell, escorted by 
Com. Hyde Parker. 

In December the Americans went into winter quarters. The 
main army was cantoned in the state of New-York, on both 
sides of the Hudson River, about West Point and iMiddlebrook. 
The troops were quartered in huts, as they were accustomed to 
spend their winters in that way; although far from being well 
clothed, their condition was tolerable. 

Thus after live campaigns of trials of strength by arms, tho 
arduous struggle ot our heroic countrymen for independence 
still continued without any apparent criterion to calculate on its 
termination. The evil genius of despotism still fostered the 
idea of final success, while the American cause seemed to pre- 
sage the pleasing prospect of a tinal result in the emancipa- 
tion from slavish thraldom and royal bondage. Every inch ot 
• round gained by our adversary was purchased dear with blood, 
.ind held in doubtful tenure by llie sword. The strong holds 
ihey then possessed stood trembling, supported only by the iron 
rod of despotism and hired mercenaries. Heaven smiled pro- 
pitious on our cause, while a glow of enthusiasm for valorous 
deeds in war, and a generous display of benevolence entered 
our breasts to those unfortunates who asked mercy of us as 
l)risoners. Proud of the name of philanthropists, our country 
shone in infancy amongst the most celebrated nations of the 
«arth. \Vjisliin2:ton illumed the world with a character worthv 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 333 

the imitation of all future heroes, statesmen, and useful citizens. 
And while time lasts this sage of America shall be highly re- 
vered by every nation and individual on earth who has any 
knowledge of intrinsic worth, and leels a degree of patriotism 
worthy the character of a freeman. 

Exalted merit crowns a birth 

With royal pedigree's renown. 
High titles sink before its worth, 

And nature gives her child a crown 
Worth more than all the diadems, 

And noble pLxiigroes on fame, 
.Decked in their sparkling brilliant gems, 

Whose greatness is a royal name. 



„^. 



CAMPAIGN OF 1778. 



Seventeen hundred seventy-eight, commenced 

With our alliance and friendship with France : 

Joy mounts on eagle '.vings, and crossed the sea^ 

And hailed the nation in a juhilee. 

Te Deum burst from every vocal voice, 

Fathers, mothers, daughters, sons rejoice ; 

All, all is thanks unto the Deity, 

The fountain head of light and lilx;rty. 

Tlie sun of liberty refnlsfent rose, 

Rolled back the cloud, o'er our exulting foes-, 

The darkened horizon, illuminates, 

While independence, siie congratulates. 

Success to freedom and her conquering band, 

The world s great author, takes the great command , 

Jehovah's power rides forth with martial sway. 

Crowns, sceptres, kings and empires must obey. 

How leeble, frail, impotent, is poor man, 

Taunting with rage, nor stops himself to scan; 

Pufled up with pride that floats on earthly fame. 

That can't to heaven transfer his sinking name. 

The grand dramatic plans of seventy-eight. 

The approachins: scenes, the mind may contemplate 

Heaven ope's the season with its usual charms, 

Man counteracts and fills it with alarms; 

Opposes will, to heaven's sacred cause, 

Breaks her strict orders, by oppressive laws. 

Fields strewn with dead instead of verdant green. 

Blood stained garments shortly must be seen; 

Thousands that now in health and bloom appear. 

M;:s: meet stern death, before the closing ycnr. 



REVOLUTIONARY SGEXKS. - *•-»» 

The ascending ghosts from battle's field arise., 

Sworn enemies on earth — meet in the skies, 

In squadrons ; can they meet on friendly terms, 

So late sworn enemies, 'midst war's alarms? 

The murdered, meet the murdered in the air, 

And God regarded the murderers' warlike prayer. 

The new alliance soon pass o'er the straits, 

To George, and North, and Bute, the tale relates, 

Who now resolve their force to concentrate. 

And try their arms against the strength of fotc. 

Determined for to govern those whom they can't subdue, 

And massacre the stubborn, to hell's iniornal crew ; 

But ah ! too late, the yankces met George and Parliament, 

And all the host of tyrants, engaged in the event, 

With thunder from our camion, and m.usket, sword and gun, 

And at the head of freemen, the gallant \Yashington. 

Arouse my countrymen, for the fight prepare, 

Maintain thy country's cause, and rush to war ; 

God will protect and take the great command^ . 

While Washington leads on our veteran band. 

Fear not the thunder of the lion's roar, 

Though it resound from east to western shore; 

Fis^ht for your wives, your sons and daughters dear, . 

The fnst in peace, the last in war appear. 

BcUtle of Moninouth. 

Lord Howe, the royal force to concentrate, 

Leaves Philadelphia, and to try his fate. 

Crosses tlie Delaware, the eighteenth day of Juno,. 

With his whole army, marching to the tune, 

God save the King, the royal music plays, 

And all the pride of martial pomp displays; 

With colors flying, and drums a beating. 

While death 's advancing on the road to meet them 

Mars always readyj foremost in the war, 



336 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

Sounds an alarm that thundered from alar. 
About this date, Geu. Ilowe resis^ns his command to Sir Hour 
Clinton, and sails for England. 
While Wasliington, whose watchful eye surveyed 
The plans of Clinton, dispositions made, 
His destination and his scheme intended, 
And in a word, his plans lue comprehended. 
Prepared at ]Monmouth to receive his guest, 
Try titles with him, for the sore oppressed ; 
The dire decision, leave to God on high, 
And strength ot power in a pitched battle try. 
The vulture havoc, waiting ior her prey, 
The couchant lion, in his slumbers lay; 
The balls arranged to waft the shafts of death. 
Await command, to start the wheels ot WTath, 
"While sighing nature in deep melancholy. 
Sees jMars employed, his hostile troops to rally. 
The vans advance — soon, soon the trumpet sounds. 
The camion's roar, peal after peal, resounds; 
The gathermg storms advance, calls all to arms, 
W^hile martial music spread her chilling charms, 
Lowering defiance rode between the foes. 
And maddening discord breaks divine repose. 
June 2Stli, records the bloody fray, 
At Monmouth fought on a hot summer's day: 
Sol's blazing intiuence, and the rage of war, 
The clouds of dust, and the tremendous jar, 
Of cannon, musket, drum and trumpt^t's sound, 
Shakes heaven's imperial bine, and solid ground. 
All, all conspire to fill the mind with dread. 
And o'er the field a shrilling horror spread. 
Not one kind ray serves to illuminate, 
The mind all anxious to impending fate ; 
Hope rides upon the all tempestuous storm. 
Conflicting fire, and shouts and war's alarm. 
"The bending air rent by the death like cries. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 33* 

'Of yells aiido-roans. that, ining-lo as they rise: 
Heart-aching scenes:, wliere nought but terror reiirns. 
Death, swift as lightning, darting o'er the plains. 
A storm of lead outstrips the winged gale, 
And iron balls, thick as a shower of iiail, 
\Vhile lii^htnings blaz?, and sulphurous smoke nscentt 
And all that's awful with its terrors blond. 
My i>en 's unable to describe the scene, 
Where every action, arm, and power is seen 
liHgaged in murder, and destruction's rage. 
And man to man his wrathful might enga<ie. 
^Vhcn men lose reason — ah ! tis sad to tell. 
They rank the loremost on the rolls of hell-: 
•• Devils to devils damned firm concord iioid. 

Men only disagree." 
This day records the bloody tragedy, 
Renowned on fame and modern liistory. 
The morn awoke. Aurov i".^ smile advanced. 
And o'er the lields her purple streamers glanced, 
Mars calls aloud, the marslialed hosts arouse, 
Defiance lowers, and all his plans allows ; 
While liberty sat sighing for her sons, 
Sees them a marching — hears the clangoring drums. 
Sees the advancing armies in displav. 
I'acing destruction which in ambush lay. 
She calls on Gk>d to vindicate lier right. 
Her wrongs redress, and with her tyrants fight. 
And supplicates his kind parental aid 
Against oppression, and her grand parade. 
The hostile armies meet in death's employ, 
The ir only aim each other to destroy; 
On everv side no slackness there was found, 
And soon tlie dead and dying strewed the ground- 
Panting for breath, lay bleeding many a son, 
His parents' hope — his work on earth is done. 
Here a father, there a brother dear. 
43 



33d AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

l-'allen, ah ! fallen, on earth no more to hear 
Tiic heavy cannons' roar, tliat shakes the ground. 
Nor tlie glad voice of nearest kuismen round. 
Their eyes are closed, deatii seals their earthly fate, 
And battle's field records the fatal date. 
The deadly charge, whcnauen in fierce array 
Meet, all enraged, with bayonets to play; 
And sport with life, as a poor worthless toy. 
Kill, butcher, murder, wantonly destroy. 
Hugo clouds of sulphurous smoke ascending roll, 
And bear to^heaven each slaughtered victim's soul 
()lympus trembles — death in triumph rides, 
And all that "s awful this stern hero guides. 
In doubtful contest, long our fathers fought, 
la even balance, victory is dearly bought, 
"Wfnle heat, fatigue, and all the powers of man. 
Striving to master life's poor feeble van ; 
While doubt stood hovering o'er the bloody field. 
And victory, waving her two handed shield, 
America leads Ibrtli her veteran bands, 
And all the fury of its rage withstands. 

Success seemed favoring the exulting foe ; 
Ijce retreats — for reasons he must know. 
(.k)ward or traitor, sullied his war like name, 
And struck from greatness all his future fame. 
Hut Washington, whose watchful eye surveyed. 
^rhe abuse of confidence, in Lee betrayed, 
Arrests the flyins: ai-my and commands, 
To face about and front the hostile bands. 
Prompt to the word,, they halt and face the foe, 
And from retreat salute him with a blow ; 
Stop'd his career, and sent a shower lead 
With such profusion, that to victory led. 
This salutation from a llying foe, 
When least expected, proved their overthrow ; 
And victory, crowned thy sons, America, 



KEVOtUTIONARY SCENES. 339 

With a fair wreath adorned with liberty. 

Tlie trophies gained, the laurels of the brave — 

The price was blood, and many a father's grave. 

Too dear, too dear the wreatli of victory. 

The purchase, life, that debt was paid to thee 

The suUry heat of Ihis eventful day. 

The use of water, thirst's rage to allay. 

Destructive proved, and fatal as the ball 

To hundreds whose imprudence proved their fall. 

Washington victoriouSj keeps the field, 

His weary army to recruit and shield : 

r^'ight's balmy influence rests their weary limbs, 

While to their God they chant the warrior's hymns,, 

When in the arms of sleep the army lay, 

Tho guards around wait the approach of day, 

Washington awake, his country's cause 

He sees emerging from the lion's jaws. 

At day's approach determined to renew 

The bloody onset with the British crew. 

And teach Sir Henry yankee doodle play, 

On battle field in North-America, 

But, this Enirlish Knight behold the danger near; 

That threatened hard, and hung upon his rear ; 

Brave Washington, victorious to engage, 

And horrid slaughter, in its dreadful rage; 

The vison nightly passed before his eyes, 

His slumbers served to heighten the surprise ;■ 

Battle's dire rag^e, in fancy shook the ground. 

Bade him beware a second fatal wound ; 

Aroused from slumber, under shade of night, 

Calls all to arms before the morning light. 

Retreats in haste; to avoid the impending blow 

Aimed at his own and army's overthrow. 

E'er morning's purple had adorned the sky, 

Or Sol's advance inflamed the realms on high. 

Or mountain's top, tipped with his golden rav 



340 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

Had to the earth announced the approach of day ; 
When nature shimbered in the arms of sleep, 
Sir Henry slole his march to gain the fleet ; 
While dread hung heavy on their sable rear, 
Hob-goblins damned lit all their lamps of fear. 
At Sandy Hook this chieftain soon arrives, 
Glad to escape, if under night's disguise. 
Embarked on board the fleet with all his host, 
To seek repose, and give up all for lost, 
Old ocean groaned beneath the useless load 
Encumbered with oppression's worthless brood ; 
Stern justice frowned upon the tyrant's claim. 
And drove his minions out to sea again. 
Old Neptune's empire, soon the foe invades, 
Sailed for New- York — along the strand parades ; 
Thus ends the mighty expedition planned. 
Which terminated by divine command. 
Disastrous to oppression's iron laws, 
Whose eftect reacts and centers on its cause. 
This expedition cost the English dear, 
Three battles fought, and skirmishes severe ; 
The vast expense, and heavy loss of lives, 
The British nation fully realized. 
The vast parade that sailed with Gen. Howe 
From York last year, and thro' the billows plowed 
Up Chesapeake, to the lamed Brandy wine, 
To meet the Yankees in a general line, 
Victorious, on to Philadelphia march, 
The Yankee's towns and villages to search. 
At Germantown, brave Washington salutes 
The British knight, and claims with him dispute. 
Victorious still, the British chivalry. 
Snug, winters safe in Philadelphia. 
In June decamps to Monmouth ; he 's pursued 
.By Washington, who all his movements viewed. 
Sir Henry halts, prepares to meet his foe, 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES; 341 

Who soon advances to his overthrow. 

Tiie Yankees too severe, this royal British knight 

Saw dangers thicken round, fled thro' the shades of night, 

On board his fleet he ralhed, and for New- York did steer. 

Tliis enterprise cost Britain one calender ic year, 

Besides a vast expense of lives and treasures lost. 

Nor gained a cent's advantage to pay its master's cost ; 

From New- York where Howe started. Sir Henry now 

returns. 
To count up>past expenses of Britains under armS; 

Gen. Lee, whose conduct on the field, 
Betrayed that confidence of merit, skilled 
In lionest valor and renown on fame. 
And leaves on history's page, a sinking name. 
When i.ndependence raised her towering head 
And called her sons — her declarations read, 
All that is sacred on the list of fame, 
All that is noble to transfer her name. 
Signed the vast contract, liberty or death, 
Our fortunes, honor, and our all on earth. 
Solemn the pledge, no less than life demands, 
Strict duty from each son her voice commands, 
Lee, lost to honor's calls, forfeits his claim, 
And struck from greatness all his future fame. 

Alliance with France. 
The scenes of war after the arrival of the French fleet un- 
der Count UEstaing, July 8th. 1778. 

France to assist the suppliant, and to aid 
America, her honor soon displayed, 
And .sent her hardy sons to plow the main, 
The British lion and her whelps to tame. 
Count D'Estaing, with the Toulon fleet, 
And a vast armament of war complete. 
Arrives. Joy filled the breast — heroic fame 



'42 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

Spread throuo-h America its martial flame, 
[fail, Independence ! was the sound abroad, 
llail, Liberty! and nature's rights from God. 
A generous ally, to support our cause, 
And bind oppression last in iron laws. 
'I'lu^ storm seemed gathering Avith redoubled rage. 
A bloody season did the clouds presage ; 
Two powerlhl nations armed in deaths employ, 
Their only plans each other to destroy. 
'I'he sea looks gray Avith majjazinesof death, 
Fraught with destruction and the feuds of earth . 
A nation's slaughter house — ah ! cursed namu, 
May the future banish its infernal fame, 
And sink war's engines to the lowest hell, 
And seal their doom in its remotest cell. 
July the eighth this powerful fleet arrives, 
And brings us hope, and with that hope supplies. 
Our imbittered days, our troubles, toils, and painsi, 
.\re fast emerging from the lions chains. 
Jehovah's banner, as a sacred shield, 
Spread its broad influence o'er creation's field ; 
His all provident care, protects and feeds 
Ul those who call and his protection need. 
War bore an aspect fraught with angry frowns. 
Mars sends his terrors while the trumpet sound.s 
The hovering fleets of England and of France. 
Fiike two proud champions, slowly do advance 
The first grand scheme D'Estaing undertook, 
Was to attack the foe at Sandy Hook, 
Whose fleet at anchor, in the harbor lay, 
Prepared, and ready for the infernal play. 
l?ut unforeseen obstructions lay concealed 
IJeneath the waves, a bar that proved a shield 
.Against attack ; the enemy secure, 
Ride on the waves, exulting in their power. 
All hopes of conquest lost, the warrior's pride, 



REVOLUtrdNARY SCENES. 34li 

To mischiet prone, rode o'er the swelling tide; 

New schemes for havoc all his thoughts employ, 

flis reason checks, but passion bids destroy. 

The new ally and "Washington agree, 

On a new plan and further destiny, 

To attack the British, on Rhode-Island shore, 

And leave decision to the event of power. 

The. meditated attack on the British Jieet^ lyt'^g in New purl 

harbor, hij D'Estaing, and the land forces under 

Gen. Pigot, by Gen. Sullivan. 

Two powerful armies with- their tieeis combrned, 
'I'ho tragic scones of dire destruction mind ; 
Their only thought is now on martial fame, 
Elood and slaughter, their intent and aim. 
Earth trembled under war's revengeful nod, 
.ind nature calling on the throne of God, 
Laments to see her children's wild career. 
And views in prosp(!Ct what must soon appear. 
July the twenty-eighth, D'Estaing sails, 
And bears to sea before the gentle gales, 

Ilis fleet, like nature's vulture, spreads its wings, 
While Syren sonss cn-chanting fancy sings. 

The grand attack, the meditated aim, 
'Vhe concentrated forces plow the main ; 
iF»y land and sea, ambition swells her sails, 

And great with conquest, rides before the gales. 

D'Estaing, off point Jndith soon arrives, 

Joy filled each breast — Columbia's sons aris^, 

While volunteers by thousands line the strand, 
Join Gen. Sullivan and war like band. 

Impatient, wait the orders of the day, 

To try their courage in a martial way, 

Against oppression and its lawless power, 

A.nd show the world that adamantine tower 



344 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS 

JJailt Oil the ruins of despotic fame, 
Freedom its charter, liberty its name — 
Join our illustrious ally, fight tlie foe. 
And teach all tyrants their just bouv. :1s to know. 
^Vllile Washington, under thatgaliaiu youth, 
The Blarquis La Fayette — his country's boast — 
Detached two thousand veteran sons of ^lars. 
To join the standard emblazoned with stars. 
Tlio spangled banner floats, the eagle soars. 
(.)"er the grand army on Columbia's shores — 
Ten thousand strong, determined to oppose 
Oppressive edicts and invading foes. 
Sir Robert Pigot, snug in Newport lay. 
Six thousand strong, waiting the approaching day: 
])e.siroy their fleet, and all retire on shore. 
\ wait the event of iate's deciding hour. 

D'Estaiiig's fleet, under a gentle breeze, 
AVitli crowded sail, line the adiucent seas ; 
I'lnter the harbor and triumphant. ride 
O'er the green waves, on .ocean's briny tide. 
Success seemed certain ; expectation s high ; 
The advancing armies wait, the event to try ; 
Aliticipation viewed the victory gained, 
And saw in vision her demands obtained. 
July the ninth, all things prepared, the morn- 
Awoke with trumpet's sound and bugle horn ; 
Soon alter Sol's illumined chariot rose, 
The scenes of nature andiof art disclosed, 
Our army crossed, and.on Rhode- Island land. 
Await for orders, then fomi along the strand. 
The enemy retreat and leave the field ; 
A bloodless victory to our army yield. 
DTiStaing's fleet in open prospect lay, 
Riding triumphant, anchored iii the bay. 
Fiach breast beat high, while distant cannon roar, . 
Re -echoing thunder, roll along the shore. 



RBVOLUTIOI*ARY SCENES, 

Lord Howe's arrival, with a powerful fleet, 
Off" Judith's poiut, their plans at once <Jefeat. 
All anxious now, each one awaits tte event, 
Of new commands, till general orders sent. 

The scene now opens to a grand display — 
Two powerful fleets in opposition lay, 
Sworn enemies, with earthly power supplied, 
To render i'wful, terrible besides. 
Ambition, fatal in its cursed toareer, 
First lit the lamp that always sets in fear ; j 

Earthly its views, while grandeur is its aim, 
A cruel engine of tyrannic fame — 
Cursed in itself, and cursed its whole employ, 
Domesticated Devil, to destroy. 
Worth it soon levels to a worthless name, 
And on oblivioivs pages writes its fame. 
D'Estaing, now all eager for renown. 
The thought of vietory wore a civic crown, 
While fancy paints her glowing colors high. 
Through scenes of blood and groans of agony 
The tenth, D'Estamg v\^ith ambition charmed^ 
In freedom's cause, heroic ardor warmed ; 
With canvas spread his fleet proceed to sea, 
To try the strength of power for \'ictory. 
The grand dramatic stage is ocean's wave ; 
Tlie two advancing fleets a challenge gave — 
Like two huge clouds, with Heaven's artillery fraught,^ 
Stand front to front, waiting the deciding lot. 
France saw her sous exulting on the main. 
Proudly advancing on the British line 
With colors flying, haughty defiance lowers. 
While death stands ready to decide their powers. 
The British cliampion chews his iron curb. 
Awaits the event that must the main disturb ; 
Fatal to thousands — ah, the dreadful thought, 
Destruction must decide the casting lot. 



34!i 



346 i.N AMERICAN ^lELT) OF MAtl0. 

But pitying nature kindly interferes, 
And, like a mother bathed in nature's tears, 
Stepped in between the wrathful sons of war, 
And intermingles dread withm the air. 
The rolling clouds, with Heaven's artillery stored, 
The storm's approach is seen by all on board ; 
While distant thunder and the darkening sky 
Presage an elemental battle nigh. 
A heavy gale for three successive days, 
Drove slumbering ocean into furious waves, 
And waters meet in a tremendous strife ; 
The warriors thoughts are changed from death to hie 
The storm's approach, closed the eventual scene, 
And shattered vessels seek their ports agaui ; 
Some single ships in death's employ engage, 
With all the fury of the warrior's rage — 
Nothing decisive, or of victory. 
Decides the event of this famed destiny. 

])'Estaing urged by La Fayette and Greene 
To enter Newport, and renew the scene 
Of the famed enterprise now big on fame, 
T-hat floats in air and wants another name ; 
But the late storm had sunk ambition low. 
His fancied victory proved an overthrow, 
His shattered fleet bewildered all his plans, 
And to necessity yields his commands. 
So fickle is the state of wild ambition, 
That those who f^mcy soon will yield submission 
And bow to reason, when it is too late, 
And taste of folly from the frowns of fate. 
Wiien all was anxious on the adjacent shore. 
When all wero waiting for the cannon's roar, 
When expectation waited on- the gale, 
D'Estaing weighed his anchor and .set sail 
For Boston, Ah ! what heart solicitude 
Pervades each breast as he sails o'er the flood. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 347 

Human pursuits, anticipated hope, 
Oft vanish as a visionary smoke, 
While all that 's left is but an earthly shade, 
Stretched out to nothing, and the phantom 's dead. 
Lost in a moment, all that martial fire 
That burned in thousands to a deadly ire ; 
The contemplated enterprise o'erthrown. 
While war's stern tyrant wears a deadly frown. 
The storm seemed gathering its terrific form, 
To advance is r-ishness, and its hope forlorn ; 
Brave KSullivan, whose martial pride surveys 
The advantage lost, and danger of delays, 
Abandoned by his volunteers, retreats, 
The only safety the forsaken meets. 
He calls to arms ; a council soon agrees 
To leave the Isle and the surrounding seas. 
Sends off his heavy cannon to the main, 
Retreats in haste the northern straits to gain. 
While Gen. Pigot hung upon his rear 
With his whole force, in slaughter's mad career ; 
The thundering cannon strewed the path with slain, 
While drums and trumpets roused the rage to flame, 
Severe the contest — night soon closed the scene, 
And mad'ning rage subsides, a warrior's dream. 
All hopes of reinforcement being lost, 
iLord Howe at sea, and Clinton on the coast ; 
Four thousand troops this royal navy bears, 
W hose tender mercies bathe the heart in tears, 
Ready to land, and join oppression's throng, 
And, like all fools, march to a syren song ; 
Ailuredby blood, no one can tell the cause, 
Oppressed to fight for cursed oppression's laws. 
The last alternative left was a retreat. 
Which Sullivan with skill prepared to meet • 
September first, arrangements being made, 
At early dawn called all to the parade ; 



343 AN AMERICAN FIELiD OF MARSr 

The Marquis La Fayette, and Gen. Greene, 
Displaved their talents in the passing scene ; 
Retreat in safety to the continent, 
And leave the foe to ponder the event. 
Safe landed without loss, God interfered, 
Protects our army, dejected spirits cheered, 
Although in presence of superior foe, 
Armed for pursuit and anxious for the blow ; 
While fortune favored Sullivan's retreat. 
Sir Henry Clinton with the British fleet 
That day arrives — but, ah ! too late ; they hnd 
D'Estaing 's gone, and Sullivan purloined. 

I^ord Huwe sails in pursuit of Count D'Estaing ; finds his: 
Acet safe in Boston harbor, and returns to New- York,- 

Lord Howe's ambition sailed in quest of prey, 
Allured by fancy's record of the day : 
Plowed through the main — blood demons on it rise. 
And victory starts for game before his eyes. 
September third, his lordship's anxious gaze 
O'er Neptune's empire and its wide amaze 
Extended view— now limits his career, 
hi Boston harbor snug the French appear. 

Here ends anticipated victory, 
Like all vast projects and their destiny ; 
God's holy providence directs the plai!, 
And man to execute is but a man. 
Back to New- York his lordship soon returns, 
New mischief to invent ; the ocean mourns, 
Lamenting tale, time spent in idle plans, 
Disoraranizins: nature's strict commands. 
A nation's robbers, next to piracy, 
Deserve the gallows and black infamy ; ! 

Destruction only serves to heighten rage 
Of maddening passions, in a barbarous age ; 
And only tyrants wantonly employ 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 

Men lost to reason, and the sense of joy. 
Tumultuous passions only lead astray, 
And foul desires within the mind display ; 
The virtuous man disdains oppressive laws, 
And, like Lord Effingham, explains the cause. 

New-Bedford Burned. 

Lord Howe, to shew his heavy-handed power, 
Of cursed oppression, marshaled to devour ; 
The fifth, at Bedford see this British vulture. 
O'er the town and harbor, lowering flutter ; 
Wanton destruction v/as his lordship's pleasure. 
And devastation was his only measure. 
Ships, brigs, and schooners — seventy sail and over 
Burnt and destroyed by Britain's royal rover ; 
Abodes of innocence, sacred to fame. 
Shared the same fate — ascend to heaven in flame, 
While vengeance slumbering in the smoky skies, 
And wait the day its wrath to realize. 
Awakened thunder, shakes the ethereal vault, 
And publishes to earth, the tyrant's fault. 
Nature must call her son a worthless knave. 
The first of madman, and the basest slave 
That thinks destruction will transfer his name. 
And future greatness realize his fame. 
The immense amount of property destroyed, 
Records the baseness of the knave employed ; 
Added to Satan's roll, to Hell's account, 
A sinking fund to pay die last amount. 

Martha^s Vineyard plundered hy Howe. 

Another trophy still, of plunder robbed, 
Howe and his crew must answer to their God 
On Martha's vineyard these marauders land, 
To steal and pilfer under war's command. 



349 



350 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS 

This famous rover took on board his fleet ; 
Three hundred oxen and ten thousand sheep, 
Tlic amount of which, he at the judgment day, 
With compound interest, must to justice pay. 
IJrave Washington, his country's cause reviews, 
With pleasantness, the scenes of action views : 
Expressive wonder this bold sage exclaims, 
Is contemplation on the warlike scenes. 
After two years of varied vicissitude 
Of battles^ marches, niid the plans pursued : 
Hoth armies are brought back to the same state, 
That first commenced the revolution's date. 
While the proud foe, who the aggressor stood, 
Whose frown rolled o'er old ocean's briny flood, 
Reduced to spade and pick-axe lor defence. 
To build them ramparts and a warrior's fence; 
The hand of providence, the sage replies, 
Li m the whole transaction realized ; 
Conspicuous is the friendly hand unseen. 
All must acknowledge God the all supremo 
Whose fostering care is visible to all, 
Wlio for protection on his mercies call 



CAMPAIGN OF 1779. 



The caHnpaigTi of this year was distinguished by a change o1 
*;lie theatre of war, from the northern to the soutliern section of 
the union. The arrival of British commissioners, to treat for 
the adjustment of existing difficuUies, with terms of recoucilia- 
lion offered by Great Britain. These instructions not offeimg 
cibsoiute independence, were rejected by Congress. Tiie Britisii 
commissioners faihng in tlieir proffers for peace, before their de- 
parture, issued a manifesto addressed not only to the members 
ot (''ongress, but to all the provincial assemblies, and all the in- 
habitants of the colonies, of whatever denomination ; in which 
they briefly recapitulated the terms offered, and the refusal of 
iyongress to open a negotiation with them. They declared 
their readiness to still treat with deputies from all, or each of. 
tlie colonies, or with conventions of individuals, at any time 
within forty days from the date of their manifesto. Then ad- 
dressing themselves to persons of every description, whether in 
civil, military, or ecclesiastical capacities, or in private stations, 
and suggesting to each of these classes, such motives as might 
liave tlie greatest influence, adjuring thein all to not let pass so 
favorable an opportunity to secure their liberties, and their fu- 
ture prosperity and happiness upon a permanent foundation — aa 
tlio' the foundation of mortals' salvation, rested on the false prof- 
fers of a weak, mortal, tyrannical king. They also, in the narHe 
of (heir trembling and more than half conquered monarch, of- 
fered a general pardon to all traitors and rebels that should im- 
mediately return to non-resistance and perfect obedience; to fos- 
ter mothers of ignorance and vice, and in future conduct them- 
selves as faithful royal subjects ; denouncing the utmost ven- 
geance against all and every person, sex, age or condition, wlio 
refused obedience to the tottering throne of British hereditary 



352 AN AMERICAN FIELD O^ MARS. 

simpletons, who had neither power to enforce nor stre n»th to sub- 
due tliose whom he and his myrmidons had decreed to utter de- 
struction. That all persons might avail themselves of this gra- 
cious offer, they caused thirteen copies to be exec li ted of this 
manifesto, to which each commissioner fixed his hanil and seal.- 
of which sir Henry Clinton was one, who had foug ht several 
battles, sutlered defeat, and Hed from Monmouth ''in the night, 
and witnessed the obstinacy of American courage am] bravery, 
and yet was so simple as to suppose that such troops as he met 
at Monmouth, and citizens, that as militia, hemmed him in in 
his environs in New-York, should tamely submit to royal proc- 
lamations and bull-ragging manifestos. The thirteen copies of 
this blustering dogma, these ministers of mistaken authority, 
transmitted to each state, by a flag of truce. A vast number 
was printed and sent by means of flags and otherwise, to the 
people of the- union. Congress on being informed of this, in- 
stantly declared such practices contrary to the laws of nations ; 
and that agents employed to distribute such papers, were not 
entitled to the protection of a flag. They recommended to the 
diflerent state authorities, " to secure in custody every person, 
who under the; sanction of a flag, or otherwise, was found cir- 
culating those manifestos." Not long after the publication of 
this British transcript of royalty, Congress issued a counter 
manifesto, '-solemnly declaring that if their enemies presumed to 
execute their threats, or persist in their present course of barbar- 
ity, they will take such examplary vengeance, as will deter oth- 
ers from like conduct. They appeal to God who searches the 
hearts of men, for the rectitude of their intentions, and in hi? 
holy presence declare, that as they are not moved by any light 
or hasty suggestions of auger or revenge, so through every 
change of fortune, they will adhere to their determination." 

Thus ended the fruitless attempt to restore connection which 
had been wantonly broken. In their present situation tlie colo- 
nies could not, under the solemn engagements entered into with 
France, accept of other terms, than absolute independence. 
Even the British nation themselves wished it. The time hatl 



REVOLUTIOXARY SCENES. 353 

now come, when the interest of that nation required a relin- 
<iuishment of an expensive war, where the object was unattain- 
able ; awd which, if attained, must be supported by the sword ; 
as the Syrians told Alexander, " one thing- is to conquer, and an- 
otlier to retain the conquest."' Amicable relations, reciprocal in- 
terests, equal intercourse of good offices, of being serviceable to 
each other, England at tliis period saw, would be more to the 
prosperity of the nation than slavish bondage and cramped au- 
thority. The cabinet of London opposed with avowed deter- 
mination, not to submit to the will of the people, nor relax theii 
pretended right to hold us as vassals dependent on the disposi- 
tion of hereditary kings, lords and dukes. At this eventful pe- 
riod, the earl of Chatham, who had warmly opposed the contest, 
and afterwards had endeavored to bring about a reconciliation, 
closed his useful life, and the monsieur Girard, who had nego- 
tiated, on the part of his sovereign, the treaties between the Uni- 
ted States and France, arrix^ed m Philadelphia, as minister plen- 
ipotentiary from the government of France. 

The joy that pervaded all classes of people was unbounded. 
H(} was received by the Americans with all the marks of honor 
they could render to their first visitant on such an occasion, 
from one of the first nations in Europe. This insignia ol in- 
dependence was highly flattering to the nation, and stimulated 
the brave to action, the wavering to union, and the cowardly and 
treacherous to dread the approaching event. England saw her 
destiny sealed, while her monarch trembled with fear, unwilling 
to give up the contest, though almost certain of defeat ; and 
while this diplomatic concern employed tlie American cabinet, 
war seemed to languish on the Atlantic, but it raged in the west, in 
the most savage form. The United States wishing to have the 
Indians remain and take no part in the war. was soon interrupt- 
ed by rich presents from Montreal, and the intrigues of British 
flattery, to take the tomahawk and scalping knife ; the frontiers, 
from the Ohio to the Mohawk, all lay exposed. Congress know- 
ing that defensive war with Indians was useless, resolved to at- 
tack them in their own country. And being aware that Col. 
45 



354 AN AMERICAN FIELD Of MARS. 

riarniltoii, Governor of Detroit, was the principal instigator- 
urging the Indians on to hostilities, it was determined in Con- 
gress to drive him and his copper-coloied associates from thi» 
position. Accordingly, Gen. Mcintosh was directed to prepare 
lor the expedition with three thousand men. To facilitate this 
enterprise, and the sooner to reduce the hostile tribes to submis- 
sion, it was also determined to enter the Seneca country by way 
of the Mohawk. But. unfortunately, belbre tliis could be effect- 
ed, the plans of the Indians had been matured, and the storiu 
that threatened, burst upon the frontiers with desolating fury. 

Wyoming, the first slaughter-house of Indian and tory massa- 
cer, was situated on both sides of the Susquehannah river, and 
contained about one thousand families, and had furnished about 
one thousand soldiers for the army, besides garrisoning fortifi- 
cations for their own security. At the head of about sixteen 
hundred men, composed of Indians and painted tories, Col. Johu 
Butler, an infamous and most inhuman monster of cruelty, 
broke into the settlement and committed horrid depredations. 
The two upper forts were given up through treachery ; the oth- 
ers were taken. The two principal fortifications, were Kingston 
and Wilkcsbarre, near each other, on opposite sides of the river 
(.'ol. Zebulon Butler, marched into Kingston with the greatest 
part of the armed force of the country. A number of old men, 
women and children flew hither for safety. After rejecting a 
summons to surrender, he proposed a parley, and agreed to 
meet the chiefs. lie marched out with four hundred men, 
and was soon drawn into an ambush, when the enemy, who 
nearly surrounded him, rose from their concealment and fired 
on them. A skirmish ensued. His men stood firm, defending 
themselves bravely, till a soldier, cither a coward or traitor, 
cried out, the Col. has ordered a retreat. Immediately, confusion 
was succeeded by total route. The troops fled to the river, 
which they endeavored to pass, in order to regain fort Wilkes- 
iKirre. The enemy pursued witli the fury of devils. Of the 
four hundrtni who marched out to the unfortunate parley, only 



RfeVOLUTlONARY SCENES. 355 

about twenty escaped. Fort Kingston was immediately invest- 
ed, and to increase the terror of the scene, these savage mon- 
sters sent into the garrison the green and bleeding scalps of their 
murdered countrymen, for their inspection. Col. Z. Butler, with 
his family retreated down the river. Col. Dennison went out 
with a flag to agree on terms of a surrender, and asked the com- 
mander what term^s he would give. Uniting the vindicative fe- 
rocity of the tiger with his untutored savage mind, Butler an- 
swered in tv/o words, "The hatchet." Not hardly believing it 
possible that such hardness to humanity could exist in a mortal 
being, and having lost the greater part of his garrison, he sur- 
rendered at discretion. He misunderstood this felon despot's 
character. I'he threats of Butler were executed with scrupu- 
lous punctuality. Alter selecting a few prisoners, the great 
body of the people in the fort, were enclosed in houses, and fire 
applied to -.hem, and all shared one common destruction, to feast 
the brutality of savage eyes, savage hearts, and more than savage 
dispositions. The cries of mothers ; the entreaties of fathers, 
and screeches of children, were unavailing. Humanity shud- 
ders at the recital, and nature, abashed, mourns. Butler then 
passed over to Wilkesbarre, which surrendered v/ithout resist- 
ance. The effort to modify the revengeful fury that governed 
him was unavailing. The continental soldiers were hewed and 
hacked to pieces, while the rest, men, women and children, 
shared the fate of their brethren in Kingston. All show of re- 
sistance having ceased, while the earth was strewn with man- 
gled carcasses and roasted victims; ^'•et the work of destruction 
was not complete. Nearly three thousand persons had escaped, 
flying to the wilderness like timorous deer, without money, food 
cr clothing. To prevent their return, every vestige of remain- 
ing property was doomed to destruction. Fire and sword was 
alternately applied, and all the houses and improvements, which 
years of labor had made, with all the living animals that could 
be found, were destroyed. The property of the tories only, was 
preserved. "They appear," says Mr. Gordon, "as Islands amidst 



356 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS, 

surrounding ruins." Nature recoils at such horrid barbarity. 
In some instances parents were butchered by their children, and 
brothers and sisters fell by the hands of brothers. 

'' Man is to man the sorest, surest ill ; 

" From man the danger is most concealed when near."' 

These savage invaders having completed the work of their 
master the devil, retired, before the continental troops arrived. 

On the first intelligence of this horrid massacre Col. Hartley's 
regiment, and two companies of militia was ordered to repair 
hither. The Col. immediately marched into the Indian country, 
destroyed some of their towns ; but on hearing the enemy were 
collecting in great force, he commenced a retreat. His rear was 
attacked with spirit, but his men soon drove back the assailants 
with loss. Col. Wm. Butler with a regiment from Pennsylva- 
nia, and a part of Morgan's rifle corps, was also detached to the 
aid of the frontier settlements, who took a position at Scholiarie 
village, about twenty-seven miles east of Albany. With his 
continental troops and about thirty rangers, Col. Butler entered 
the enemies' country in October, and after a lengthy and fiitigu- 
ing march over high mountains and deep waters, he reached 
the Unadilla towns, the head-quarters of the celebrated Col. 
Brendt, an half-breed Indian chief, distinguished for his cour- 
age and cruelty to the whites, whose towns, with a considerable 
quantity of corn gathered for winter stores, he destroyed. Hav- 
ing effected his object, he returned to Schoharie without meeting 
any of the enemy. Pending these transactions. Congress re- 
ceived intelligence from Col. Hartley that the enemy were col- 
lecting and fortifying at Chemung, a large settlement twelve 
miles from the mouth of Cayuga, a river that empties into the 
Susquehannah; and that a large body of tories were stationed 
there. Niagara and Chemung being their principal rendezvous 
west of the city of New- York, resolutions were immediately 
adopted by Congress to drive them from these posts ; but the sea- 
son of the year being advanced, and the rains having com- 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 357 

mcnced and rendered the streams impassable, the plan was aban- 
doned for the present. 

About the same time, a body of five hundred tories and In- 
dians under cover of the night, broke into Cherry Valley settle- 
ment, where Col. Alden was stationed with a continental regi- 
ment. A sergeant, with a small patrol was cut off ; inconse- 
quence of which, the Colonel was completely surprised. In at- 
tempting to gain the fort^ he, with ten of his soldiers, were 
killed, and the lieutenant Colonel and two subaltern officers, 
were made prisoners. The fort was next assailed, which made 
a brave resistance, and hearing that relief was soon expected, 
the enterprise was abandoned, and this gang of lawless assassins 
and robbers, retired, after repeating the same tragic scenes of 
horror as at the Wyoming settlements. 

AVhile the western frontier lay exposed and open to the in- 
roads of a savage foe. Col. Hamilton, Governor of Detroit, was 
at St. Vincents with six hundred men, principally Indians, pro- 
jecting an expedition down the Kaskaskia river, and then up 
the Ohio to Pittsburg, proposing to desolate the frontiers of 
Virginia. A regiment of infantry, and a troop of cavalry, com- 
manded by Col. Cleorge R. Clark, v/as stationed at Kaskaskia, 
a bold and daring officer, whose uncommon hardihood had ren- 
dered him renowned in Indian warfare. 

Clark determined to defeat Gov. Hamilton's design ; and with 
a boldness hardly equalled on the annals of history, formed his 
plans and executed them with energy equal to his military and 
enterprising genius. Col. Clark, though too far removed from 
(he inhabited country to hope for muoli support— and though 
too weak to maintain Kaskaskia and Illinois against a regular 
force, aided by the whole body of Indians from the Lakes to the 
mouth of the Ohio, which he might expect ngainst him early in 
spring, made every preparation for defence in his power. While 
thus employed, he received unquestionable information that 
Hamilton, who supposed himself perfectly secure at St. Vincents, 
had sent his Indians to invest the Ohio, and to harrass the fron- 
tjecs;. reserving with himself at St. Vincents, only eighty regu- 



353 AN AMERICA!* FIELD OF MARS. 

lars, three pieces of cannon, and some swivels. Clark at once 
resolved to attack him, and thus secure himself from future 
langcr from that quarter. He detached a small galley, which 
lie fitted out, mounting; two four pounders, and four swivels, 
and manned by a company of soldiers. It had, also, on board 
stores for his troops , and was ordered to force its way up the 
Wabash, and take her station a few miles below St. Vincents^ 
allowing nothing whatever to pass up. Having made this ar- 
rangement, he set out, in the depth of winter, with one hun- 
dred and thirty men, and crossed the country from Kaskaskia to 
St. Vincents, Sixteen days lie marched throu£[h v/oods, and 
over high waters. L'ive days were employ< d in crossing the 
<lrowncd lauds of the Wabash. They were under the necessity 
of wading in water in many places up to the breast. After sur- 
mounting every obstacle, this small party appeared before the 
town ; vdiich was completely surprised, and readily agreed to 
change masters. Hamilton defended the fort for a short time, 
and then surrendered himself and garrison prisoners of war. 
With a few of his immediate agents and counsellors, who had 
been active in Indian barbarities, he was, by order of the Govern- 
or of Virginia, put in irons and confined in jail. 

The campaign of 1779 having closed, public anxiety was still 
alive in tlie breast and view of our beloved chief, Gen. Wash- 
ington ; who saw v/ith regret the tardiness and delays of public 
atlairs, occasioned by the want of suitable energy on the part of 
Congress, and the conflicting scenes of hope and despondency 
manifested by the people. A long war had entailed a series of 
miseries and calamities on all classes, almost insupportable. 
The desire of independence illumined the mind to future exer- 
tions, while the weight of grievances seemed almost insupporta- 
able. On the one hand stood the alluring mount of fame ; on 
the other Iiand lay the gulf of despondency. Washington on 
the i)innacle of doubt and fear, stood inviting his countrymen to 
])erscvere in a firm perseverance of those principles manifested 
in the declaration of independence, in defence of the blessings 
ofliberty, justice, moderation, temperance, frugality and virtue* 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 350 

waving an emblem of future greatness, unrivalled on the ar- 
chives of nations; and at the same time pointing to the gulf of 
•despondency, sinking deeper and deeper in the mire ; bidding 
his countrymen beware of fostering false hopes of a speedy ter- 
mination of the struggle ihey had engaged in, and not to think 
of any thing less than a full acknowledgement of our independ- 
ence on the part of our enemies. The people, and a number of 
our rulers, thought the struggle almost over; that our alliance 
with France had crippled the resources of our enemies ; that, 
consequently, future operations on their part must be weak, and 
that they would soon give up a hopeless contest. Such conclu- 
sionsVere pleasing, and spread like ontagion— lulling the mind 
and energies to quietness, while v.'ar was still staring them in 
the face, armed with all its malignant qualities. In a calm is 
the time to prepare for a stovni. This Washington saw, and 
urged his counlrymen to meet the struggle with fortitude, and 
not to concede one inch of ground, nor think of peace, until the 
last invader should be driven from their soil. 

Four campaigns had terminated, and our cause had advanced 
Mt home and abroad. The lion, instead of reigning king of ihe 
forest, was confined to his c^trong holds to defend his whelps. 

Short enlistments Iiad heretofore hindered the etncient organ- 
ization of the army ; and the fliihire of Congress and the state 
legislatures in having their levies of incn, &c. in readiness 
early in the season, proved a great hindrance to the pompt mea- 
sures of an able commander. Vv'ashington used his best exer- 
tions to remedy these deficiencies, so that he might be able io 
meet the enemy early in the season. 

The operations of the war were now piincipall\r confined to 
liie southern states ; in wlrich section of the country the cam- 
paign commenced early. 

The ^iege of fSavatinah. 

Lieut. Col. Campbell, who sailed from the Rook about the 
iast of November, 1778, escorted by n small squadron \inder 



■51)0 • AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MAR3. 

ihc command of Com. Ilydc Parker, reached the isle of Tybee, 
near the Savannah, the river which separates Georgia from 
youth-Carolina, on the 23d of December, and in a few days, the 
licet with the transports got over the bar, and anchored in tho 
river within the light house of Tybce. 

The command of the southern army, composed of the troopj^ 
of South-CaroHna and Georgia, had been committed to Major 
Gen. Robert Howe. In the course of the preceding summer, 
he had invaded East Florida. The diseases incident to the 
climate, made such ravages among his raw soldiers, unused to 
the precautions necessary for the preservation of heakh, tliat, 
though he Imd bat little more than seen an enemy, he found 
himself compelled to hasten out of the country with very con- 
siderable loss. After this disastrous enterprise, his army, con- 
sistiiig of between six and seven hundred militia, had taken 
post iii the neighborhood of the town of Savannah, then the 
capital of Georgia, situated on the southern bank of the river 
bearing that name. The counlry about the mouth of the river 
is one tract of deep marsh, intersected by creeks and cuts of 
water, impassable for troops at any time of the tide except over 
causeways extending through the sunken ground. 

Without much op])osition, Lieut. Col. Campbell effected a 
landing at Gerido's plantation, about three miles below the 
town of Savannah ; upon which Howe drew up his army half a 
mile east- of the town, across the m.-iin road, so as in some de- 
o-jee to flank it. His left was secured by the river, in addition 
!>> wliich, it was strengthened by the fort of Savannah Bhill 
behind this wing, in ilie style of a second flank. Along the 
M'holc extent of his front was a morass v/hich stretched to his 
riijht, and was believed by iiini to be impassable for such a dis- 
lancc, as ellcctually to secure that wing. A bridge, over whicii 
tbiC road through this morass led, had been taken up, and a 
trcncli had also been cut across the causeway for the purpose of 
further embarrassing the advance of the enemy. The town oi 
v"Savannah, round which were the remains of an old line of 
in trend iment, covered his rear. One piece of artillery was- 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 36i 

placed on his Fight, one on his left, and two occupied tlie tra-. 
verse across the great road in the centre of his line. 

in this position he expected the enemy ; and such were the 
advantages of his situation, that, notwithstanding his inferiority 
of numbers, he might without being over sanguine, count on 
being able to maintain his ground; 

Alter reconnoitering the country, Col. Campbell advanced on 
tli'2 great road leading to Savannah, and about three in the 
aiternoon, appeared in sight of tlie American army. While 
making dispositions to dislodge it, he accidentally fell in with a 
negro who informed him of a private path leading through the 
swamp, round the right of the American lines into their rear. 
Of this route, which seems to have been entirely unknown to 
Gen. Howe, he nnmedialely determined to avail himself The 
situation of the ground was favorable to the execution of this 
determination. It enabled him to conceal in part the move- 
ments of the troops, and to detach to his left, a column under 
Sir .iames Baird, entirely unperceived by Howe. 

A.S soon as Sir James emerged from the swamp, he attacked 
and dispersed a body of Georgia militia, which gave the first 
i^otice to the American general of the danger that threatened his 
rear. At the same instant, the Jjritish troops in iiis front were 
))Ut in motion, and the artillery began to play upon him. A 
retreat, which had now become extremely difficult, v/as imme- 
diately ordered. The continental troops were under the neces- 
KJly of running across a ])lain, in front of the corps wliich had 
l)een led into their rear by Sir James Eaird, who attacked their 
Hanks with great impetuosity, and considerable execution. 
Those who escaped retreated np the Savaiaiah, and crossing that 
river at Zubly's ferry, took refuge in South-Carolina. 

Tliis victory was complete, and decisive in its consequences. 
About one hundred of the Americans were either killed in the 
field, or drowned in attempting to escape through a deep swamp 
in their way. Thirty-eight officers, and four hundred and fif- 
icen privates were taken. Forty-eight pieces of cannon, twelnty 
llu'ce mortars, the fort with all its military stores, a larce quantity 
46 



3C2 AN AMERICAN FIELD OP MARS. 

of provisions collected for the use of the southern army, and the 
capital of Georgia, fell on the day of the action into the hands 
of the e^ierny. These advantasjes were obtained at no other 
expense than the loss of seven killed, and nineteen wounded. 

The state of Georgia, now nearly all under royal authority, 
yielded to necessity. Proffers of peace and safety brought many, 
ignorant of self-command and self-respect, to the British stand- 
ard. Savannah taken, Sunbury was the last fortress in the 
hands of the Americans within the limits of Georgia. South- 
Carolina now became the rallying point for both parties. Gen., 
Howe was superceded by Gen. Lincoln, who immediately re- 
paired to Charleston. He instantly called on the states of Vir- 
ginia and North and South-Carolina, lor assistance ; which was 
promptly sent forward in a reinforcement of two thousand mili- 
tia, under Gens. Ash and Rutherrord. They reached Charles- 
ton before Com. Parker appeared oil' the coast. The British 
fleet soon entered the Savannah river, that divides Georgia from 
South-Carolina. This river, for one hundred miles above, is 
deep : its margin marshy and dilficult to pass with an army. 
An attempt was soon made by the enemy to invade South-Caro- 
lina by the sea-coast ; but was met and defeated by Gen. Moul- 
trie, with great loss. 

From the cominenccmenl of the war a considerable portion 
of the inhabitants of tlic western ])art of the three southern 
states had been lavorable to the royal cause. On the first suc- 
cess of the British in Georgia, emissaries were sent amongst 
them, inviting them to co-operate with the King's troops. A- 
hout seven hundred of them actually embodied in the back part 
of Soutli-Carolinn, ar>d began their march for Augusta. De- 
j)ondei!t on plunder for their support, ihey resembled a lawless 
banditti, rather than a military force. The militia of the coun- 
try soon rallied, and attacked thcin, near Kettle creek. The 
in.surgents were defeated, and their leader. Col. Boyd, killed. 
Several who escaped were arrested, and fried as traitors ; seven- 
ty were condemned ; live of whom, the most notorious offend- 
ers, were executed; three hundred in a body reached the British 
camp. This dcfcat silenced the tor:cs lir a time. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENKS. 365 

The American army gained strenj^th from the Carolina. 
Gen. Lincohi began to contemplate offensive operations. It 
was his design to cross the Savannah river above Augusta, near 
which Gen. Ash was stationed with fourteen hundred men. 
Before Lincohi was able to execute his pUins, Gen. Provost, 
apprehensive of danger, withdrew his troops from Augusta, and 
fell back to Hu-dson's Ferry, which now became the head-quar- 
ters for the royal array. 

GcD. Lincohi ordered Gen. Ash, with his troops, to cross the 
Savannah, and take a station on Briar creek, near its confluence 
with the Savannah — a site well situated for defence. From this 
post Gen. Provost determined to dislodge the Americans. Ac- 
cordingly, making feints to deceive Gens. Lincoln and Ash, he 
took a circuitous route, and crossing Briar creek fifty miles 
above, came unperceived and unexpectedly upon his rear. 
His continental troops under Gen. Albert, met the enemy's ad- 
vance, and engaged, but were soon ovcrjwwered. Most of his 
militia threw down their arms and fled. Not many were taken. 
The regulars, after fighting valiantly, surrendered. Our loss 
in killed and prisoners, amounted to between three and four 
hundred. 

This victory restored to the British their communication with 
the Indians, and their back country. Now in entire possession 
of Georgia, Gen. Provost issued his proclamation, establishing a 
royal government, and declaring the laws that existed in 1775 
in force. 

These disasters in Georgia, instead of damping the energies 
of South-Carolina, served to arouse ilie state to a determined 
rcsir'.ance to royalty. Mr. John Rutledge, a man of great tal- 
ents, was elected Governor. Througli his exertions, the militia 
in great numbers joined Gen. Lincoln, wiio was determined to 
rescue the upper part of Georgia from British authority. For 
this purpose he left Gen. Moultrie to protect the comitry, and 
marched immediately on this expedition. Gen. Provost, per- 
ceiving Lincoln's design, thought to arrest his plans by sudden- 
ly croivsing the Savannah, and attacking Moultrie— threatening 



304 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MAKS. 

Charleston,. <fcc. Under these circumstances, he suddenly cross- 
ed tlic river with three thousand men, and attacked and dis- 
jHDrsed Gen. Moultrie's little army — which, being mostly militia, 
lied in all quarters, on tiie approach of the enemy. Expresses 
were immediately sent to liincoln of the invasion of South-Car- 
olina by Provost, and to desire him to hasten back to its relief 
This was what Provost wanted. But Lincoln pursued his 
march in Georgia, until another express announced the news 
that Gen. Provost was making rapid marches towards Cliarles- 
ton. It seems his first design was to draw Gen. Lincoln from 
Georgia by attacking Moultrie ; but urged by his friends, after 
Moultrie's retreat, to make a descent on Charleston, he at last 
complied. Lincoln immediately recrossed the Savannah, and 
hastened to the relief of that state. Provost was several days 
• ahead, and the most serious fears were entertained for the capi- 
tal. Tlie Governor, and the authority of Charleston, exerted 
every means in their power to fortify the city, and defeat Provost 
in his anticipated conquest. The British general, after having 
marched half the distance, as if ordered by Providence, halted 
two or three days, deliberating on the measures to be pursued; 
thus giving the citizens time to put Charleston in a state of de- 
fiance, and affording Gen. Lincoln an opportunity to advance 
upon his rear- 
When General Piovost arrived in front of Charleston lie 
found lines of fortifications on the land side, mounted with 
a numerous train of artillery; flanked by armed gallies, station- 
ed in Ashley and Cooper rivers, ready to give him a warm 
sakite. The neighboring militia were drawn into the town ; a 
reinforcement sent by Lincoln, and the legion of Pulaski ar.'ived 
— ^the (Jovernor marching into the city at the head of the regu- 
lars. The next morning, Provost, with a part of liis armv, cross- 
ed Ashley river, and marciicd down the neck to within cannon 
shot distance of the works, and summoned the town to surren- 
der. The day was spent in sending and receiving flags, while 
all dilligence was used in urging forward works of defence. 
Tiie terras proposed by the British being rejected, the town pre- 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 365 

pared for an assault. But, thinking the task beyond his abih- 
ties, Provost recrossed Ashley river, retired from thence to St. 
James' Island, and from thence to St. John's, both of which lay 
to the south of Charleston li arbor. 

Gen. Lincoln, having returned to Charleston, followed Pro- 
vost, who had erected a small fortified camp ashore, nearly op- 
posite the island, thirty-six miles from Charleston. Here Lin- 
coln attacked him ; but reinforcements from the island being 
ready to advance, he withdrew, with the loss of one hundred 
and seventy men in killed, wounded, and prisoners. 

The British, soon after this attack, rctired to Georgia, and 
Lincoln to Charleston. 

Sir Henry Clinton now turned his attention to Virginia ; and 
detached Gen. Matthews wnth two thousand men, on board the 
fleet commanded by Sir George Collier. This fleet entered 
the Chesapeake, and on the morning of the tenth entered Eliza- 
beth river, and effected a landing at a place called Glebe, three 
miles below the fort. The garrison, being weak, retreated. 
GenJMatthews, now in possession of the whole sea-board on the 
south of James river, fixed his head-quarters at Portsmouth, and 
sent his messengers of mischief to plunder, burn, and destroy the 
country — which suffered immense loss from these freebooters. 
Towards the latter end of May, Gen. Matthews was ordered 
back to New- York, by Sir Henry Clinton, 

Gen. /S'liUivari's Expedition against the Indians. 

The savage barbarities committed on the western frontiers 
by the Indians, and more barbarous white men, called aloud 
for chastisement, and Gen. Washington, who from his youth 
up was well acquainted. with the Indian mode of warfare, laid 
his plans to carry devastation into their country and villages, 
and meet them at the doors of their wigwams, and starve them 
to submission. For this purpose Gen. Sullivan was selected 
by Washington to command the army, which was to enter their 
country in three divisions, consisting of five thousand men. 



3»56 AN AMERICAN FiELt) OF ifAR3. 

One division of three thousand to march up the Susqiieharmah 
and enter the settlements of the Seneca nation. One thousand 
men were to proceed np the Mohawk ; and the remaining one 
ihousand, up the Alleghany river and attack the towns in that 
quarter. To prevent the savages from receiving aid from Can- 
aiia, a feint was made, demonstrating a design to invade thai 
country by the v/ay ot Lake Champlain. 

Arrangements were nearly completed, and a day fixed to 
march, wlicn the ofliccrs of the New-Jersey brii;adc, testified to 
Gen. Maxwell their determination to resign and return home, 
unless their stated grievances, the want of pay and supplies for 
tliemselves and families, were immediately furnished, and three 
days were allowed for an answer. This unexpected resolution, 
at this tmie, just as the army was itndertaking an important ex- 
pedition, made a serious impression on the commander-in-chief, 
although they offered to keep their stalions ot command till oth- 
ers cwild be appointed and arrive to take tlieir places. He im- 
mediately .iddressed a letter to Gen. Maxwell, slating his warm 
Byiiipathy for their sulferings, his knov/ledge of theu* past brave- 
ry and patriotic conduct ; that he had, and would use his en- 
deavors with his country to procure them relief Hoping at the 
same time, that they, on reasonable reflection, would lay aside 
their rash determination, and view the consequences tjiat must 
result to their country from such proceedings. This letter in 
part cooled their determination to abandon the army, and the 
Legislature of New-Jersey promised to attend to their wants ; 
Ihey consented to withdraw their resolution and march with the 
army. Gen. Washington says, in a letter to Congress, "the pa- 
tience of men, animated by a sense of honor and duty, will sup- 
port to a certain point, beyond which it will not go." A small 
expedition was undertaken, before the main army moved, against 
the Onondagas, one of the nearest tribes of the Six Nations, 
from Fort Schuyler. Six hundred men, under the command ot 
Col. Van Schaick, commenced their march on the 19th day of 
April, and marched ninety miles in three days, destroyed the 
settlement, and returned to the Fort in three days ; having been 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 367 

5one six, surprised and took a number of prisoners, and killed 
twelve, without losing a man. 

The largest division of the army was to halt at Wyoming, 
on the main branch of the Susquehannah, till ready to proceed. 
Gen. Sullivan arrived at this station about the 1st of June, but 
owing to the provisions provided here for the use of the army 
having spoiled, and the want of ammunition, etc., it was late 
in July before the army marched from Wyoming. The divi- 
sion that was to penetrate into the Indian country by the way 
of the Mohawk, marclied early in the season under Gen. Clin- 
ton, to take Otsego, the head waters of the Susquehannah, and 
then proceeded down the western branch of that river, and on 
the 22d of August formed a junction with Gen. Sullivan. The 
whole anny^ amounting to five thousand men, then marched 
up the Cayuga, or western branch of the Susquehannah, which 
led into the heart of the Indian country. 

* Battle with the Indians. 

The Indians had early intelligence of the advance of our 
army, and with promptness prepared to meet our troops in a 
general engagement. The ground they had selected for the 
bloody conflict was ill chosen ; a few miles above the Che- 
mung they collected their forces, amounting, according to their 
own account, to eight hundred, whilst Gen. Sullivan estimated 
them at thirteen hundred men, and five companies of whites, 
(about two hundred,) which had joined them, commanded by 
the two Butlers, Guy Johnston, McDonald and Brendt. They 
had constructed a breast-work on a rising piece of ground, 
about half a mile in lengdi. The right flank of this work was 
covered by the river, which bending to the right, and winding 
round the rear, exposed only their front and left to an attack. 
On the left, was a high ridge nearly parallel to the general course 
of the river, terminating somewhat below the breast-work ; and 
still farther to the left, was another ridge running in the same 
direction, and leading to the rear of the American army. The 
ground they occupied was covered with pine, interspersed with 



3C8 AN AMERICAN FIELD OP MAUS. 

low shrub oaks, many of which, for the purpose of conceahnij 
their works, had been cut up and stuck in front of them, in 
such a manner as to exhibit the appearance of being still grow- 
ing. The road, after crossing a deep brook at the foot of the 
hill, turned to the right, and ran nearly parallel to the breast- 
work, within rifle shot of it, so as to expose the whole flank of 
the army to their fire, if it should advance without discovering 
their position. 

Parties, communicating with each other by sentinels, were sta- 
tioned on each of the hills on their left, so as to fiill on the right 
flank and rear of Sullivan, when the action sliould commence. 

About eleven in the morning of the 29th August, (1779.) this 
work was discovered by Major Par, who commanded a rifle 
corps which constituted the advance guard of the army. Gen. 
Hand immediately formed the light infantry in a wood, distant 
about four hundred yards from the enemy, and stood upon his 
ground until the main body should arrive. In the meantime, 
a continual skirmishing was kept up between the rifle corps, and 
small parties of the Indians who sallied from their works, and 
suddenly retreated, apparently with the hope of being incau- 
tiously pursued. 

Conjecturing that the hills on his right were occcupied by 
the savages, and that they designed from them to annoy his flank 
and rear as soon as he should be engaged in front, Sullivan im- 
mediately ordered Gen. Poor, supported by Geii. Clinton, to take 
possession of that which led into his rear, and thence to turn 
the left, and gain the rear of the breast-work ; while Hand and 
Maxwell with the artillery should attack iu front. These or- 
ders were promptly executed. The artillery opened just as Poor 
reached the foot of the hill. He immediately pushed up the 
mountain, and a sharp conflict commenced, which was sustained 
for some time with considerable spirit on both sides. Poor con- 
tinued to advance rapidly, pressing the enemy before him with 
fixed bayonets, and occasionally firing on them. They retreated 
from tree to tree, keeping up an irregular fire, until he gained 
the summit of the hill. Perceiving that their flank was com- 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 3<V9 

filctely uncovered, and that they were in danger of being sur- 
rounded, the savages immediately abandoned tlieir breastwork, 
and crossing the river, fled with the utmost precipitation. Au 
unavailing pursuit was kept up for a few miles. 

This victory, which was complete in its eflect, cost the Amer- 
icans in killed ard wounded about thirty men. The loss fell 
chiefly on Poor's brigade. The ascertained loss of the Indians 
was inconsiderable. Only eleven dead bodies were found on 
the field ; but they were so intimidated by the total failure ot 
this first attempt to defend their habitations, and by the apparent 
strength of the invading army, that every idea of further resist- 
ance was abandoned. As Sullivan advanced, they continued to 
retreat before him without harrassing his main body, or even 
skirmishing with his detachments, except in a single instance. 

He penetrated into the heart of their couniry, which his par- 
ties scoured, and laid waste in every direction. 

Every lake, river, and creek, in the country of the Six Na- 
tions, was traced for villages; and no vestige of human indus- 
try was permitted to remain. Houses, corn-fields, gardens, and 
h"uit trees, shared one common late ; and Sullivan strictly exe- 
cuted the severe but necessary orders he had received, to render 
the country completely uninh:ibi table for the present, nnd thus, 
by want of food, to compel the hostile Indians to remove to 
a greater distance. 

Eighteen villages, a number of detached buildings, one hun- 
dred and sixty thousand bushels of corn, and all those fruits 
and vegetables which conduce to the comfort and subsistence ot 
men, were utterly destroyed. Five weeks were unremittingly .. 
employed in this work of devastation. -.^f 

The objects of the expeduion being accomplished, Sullivan 
returned to Easton in Pennsylvania, having lost only forty men 
by sickness and the enemy. The want of a suflicicnt supply ot 
provisions, and the impossibility of finding in the country thro' 
which his march must have been directed, food enough for the 
subsistence of his army, alone prevented his endeavoring toren- 
47 



370 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MAR3. 

der the campaign completely dec»ciT-c, by making an attempt on. 
thu British posf iit Niagara. 

The devastation of the country has been spoken of with some 
degree of disapprobation. This disapprobation appears to be- 
the result rather of a general disposition in the human mind to 
condemn wliatever may have the appearance of tending to ag- 
gravate the miseries of war, than ot reflection. There were cir- 
cumstances which reconciled to humanity this seemins: depart- 
ure from it. Holding the commanding posts on the lakes, and 
at all times ready to afford the Indians an abundant supply of 
those European commodities which had become necessaries, 
the English possessed a controlling influence over them, which 
lospt them in almost continual war with the United States. 

The cruelties which they were in the habit of ])ractising on 
their enemies, seemed to have received an additional degree of 
ferocity Irom the virulent malignity of the \vliites who had ta- 
ken refuge among them^ and who sought occasions to retaliate 
ten fold on their countrymen, the injuries they supposed them- 
selves to have sustained. There was real foundation for the- 
opinion that an annual repetition of the horrors of Wyoming 
could only be prevented by disabling the enemy from perpetra- 
ting them. And no means in the power of the United States to. 
use, promised so certainly to eflect this desirable object, as the 
removal of neighbors whose hostility could only be diminished' 
by terror, and whose resentments were only to be assuaged by 
fear. 

While Sullivan laid waste the whole country on the Susque- 
hannah, another expedition under Col. Brodhead was carried on 
from Pittsburgh, up the Alleghany, against the Mingo, Munsey, 
and Seneca tribes. At the head of between six and seven hun- 
dred men, he advanced two hundred miles up that river, and 
destroyed the villages and corn-fields on its head branches 
Here too,, the Indians were totally unable to resist the force with 
which they were invaded. 

After essaying one unsuccessful skirmish, they abandoned their 



REVOLUTIONAIIY SCENKE. 371 

villages to a destruction from which it was not in their power to 
defend them, and sought for personal safety in their woods. 

On receiving the communications of general Sulh'van, con- 
gress passed a vote of approbation on I lis conduct, and on that 
of his army. That approbation, liowever, seems not to have ex- 
tended beyond his operation? in the Indian country. 

His demands for military stores tor the expedition had l^een 
so high ; in his conversations with his ofEcers he had so ireely 
censured the civil government for having failed to comply with 
all these demands ; in general orders, he had so openly com- 
plained of inattention to the preparations necessary to ensure 
success to the enterprise, that considerable oftence was given to 
r>everal members of congress, and still more to the bonrd of 
war. In consequence of these causes, when at the close of the 
campaign, Sullivan complained of ill health, and offered on 
that account to resign his commission, the endeavors of his 
friends to obtain a vote requesting him to continue in the service, 
and permitting him to withdraw from actual duty until his 
health should be restored, was over-ruled, and his resignation 
was accepted. The resolution permitting him to resign was, 
however, accompanied with one thanking him for his past ser- 
vices. 

Although the great exertions made in the course of this cam- 
paign to terminate the Indian war did not produce all the beti- 
efits expected from them, and did not afford complete security 
to the v/estern frontiers, they were certainly attended with con- 
siderable advantages. The Indians, though not subdued, were 
intimidated. They became less terrible, and their incursions 
were less formidable, as well as less frequent. 

"While the operations of the campaign were transacting, the 
two armies under Washington and Clinton, nearly equal in 
strength, lay watching each others movement. The British ar- 
my at New- York, estimated at nine thousand; in Virginia, at 
two thousand; in Rhode Island at five or six thousand, in all 
about sixteen or seventeen thousand. The American army (not 
including Sullivan's corps, and a few troops in the south, under 



372 



AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 



Gen. Lincoln,) was a little inferior. Of these, three thousand 
were under the command of Gen. Gates in NewEn2:land, and 
the remainder, thirteen thousand strong, on both sides of the 
North-River, to watch the motion of Sir Henry Clinton. Gen. 
Washinoton's force at this tini'?, was totallyunable to attack any 
of the strong British posts, without hazarding too much. After 
the destruction of forts Montgomery and Clinton, the ground 
for defence was changed, and carried liigher up the river. 
West-Point, a commanding position, was chosen, where the 
river is narrow, and banks high, and gradually rising from 
the water for some distance back, affording by nature, a site well 
calculated for defence, as cannon can from this eminence com- 
mand the river. Being embosomed with hills, it may be tenii^d 
tlie Gibralter of the United States. 

Here our engineer had selected a spot suitable to the occasion, 
forming a complete barrier against invasion from the ocean. At 
this post unremitting exertions were made to render it impregna- 
ble to attack. Some miles below West Point, lay the great cross- 
ing place or ferry, then called King's Ferry, affording communi- 
cation between the eastern and middle states. Near the ferry lay 
two opposite points of land, that on the west side an elevated 
piece of rough stony ground, called Stony Point, and that on 
the east side a flat, extending into the river, called Yerplank's 
Point. The possession of these points, as they commanded the 
terry, was an object to both parties. At Verplank's point. Gen. 
Washington had erected a small fort, called fort Fayette, And 
Stony Point was in a state of forwardness. 

The campaign opened, and Sir Henry Clinton, possessing all 
the means to commence a sudden invasion by water, sailed up 
tlie river with a large body of troops, conveyed by Sir George 
Collier's fleet. Sir Henry in person commanded the enterprise. 
The largest division of the army, connuanded by Gen. Vaughn, 
landed on the east side ©f the river, eight miles below Ver- 
plank's ; while Gen. Patterson, accompanied by Sir Henry 
landed on the western shore, three miles above Stony Point. 
Operations were immediately arranged tor carrying the works 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 373 

by storm. Stony Point being unfished, was abandoned, and 
the garrison on Verplank's being closely invested, Capt. Arm- 
strons^, who commanded fort Fayette surrendered to necessity. 
Sir Henry gave orders for finishing the works at Stony Point, 
having a large force with him. Washington was apprehensive 
Qjf his extending his views to further conquests, and made all the 
arrangements in his power, to stoj) the knight in his chivalric 
adventures. Whatever plans he might have formed, Washing- 
ton's vigilapice counteracted them; a reinforcement from Mas- 
sachusetts joined Gen. M'Dougal at West Point, and a division 
of the army at Middlebrook was already in the neighborhood, 
which rendered Sir Henry's design against West Point abortive. 
Our army at this crisis was too weak to risk much, and obliged 
to act on the defensive. When the works on Stony and Yer- 
plank's Points, were supposed to be nearly impregnable. Sir Hen- 
ry returned down the river to Phillips'. The relative situatioti 
of the hostile armies, rendered it difficult for either to venture 
much. Gen. Washington still continued his cautious system, 
thinking it best to hazard but little, as he anxiously hoped 
and expected a powerful co-operation on the part of France. 
While Gen. Washington lay with his army at West Point, and 
along the Highlands, Connecticut State lay exposed to the in- 
vasion of British invaders and marauding parties. Long- 
Island and the adjacent shores were completely under the mer- 
cy of their neighbors of New-York. Sir Henry's active mind 
soon embraced the opportunity to display his power. With this 
view, an expedition was planned, and the infamous Tryon en- 
trusted with its execution. On the 3d .July, the army, amount- 
ing to about twenty-six hundred men, embarked at Frog's Neck, 
on the Sound, and sailed east, entering New-Haven bay on the 
5th. Intelligence was immediately sent to head-quarters, of 
the danger. The militia assembled, but unable to make a stand 
against snch force, the British landed and took possession of the 
town, and destroyed the naval and military stores. 



371 AN AMBRICAW VlKLD OK MARS. 

Fairjicld Burnt. 

The next day tlicy embarked; landed, and burnt the llonr- 
•ishini^ village of Fairlield. 

Tlie infamous Tryon, to justify his conduct, said, "Thi* 
inhabitants fired on his troops from their houses, which induced 
him to destroy it." 

Embarking- from tiience, they proceeded to Ilnnlinjrton's 
bay, and on the 11th tliey landed at the Cow Pastures, a point 
on the east of Nor walk bay. 

About the same time, a much larger detachment from the 
Uritish army directed its march towards the Horse Neck, and 
made demonstrations of penetrating Connecticut. 

On the lirst intelligence that Connecticut was invaded, Gen. 
Washington dispatched Gen. Persons to hasten to the scene ot 
action, and take command of the Connecticut troops, one h\ni- 
(jred and lilty in number, and the militia. With these he at- 
tacked the British on the morning of the 12th. Not strong 
enough to make a stand, he harassed them through the day, by 
a distant, irregular lire, from concealments. 

Gov. Tryon ordered Norwnlk to share the same fate with 
^'airfield, and then sailed to Huntington's bay, to await frcsli 
supplies and a reinforcement. From thence he was ordered to 
White Stone. Here a conference was held l)etween Sir Henry 
'(Clinton and Sir George Collier ; and, with an increased force, 
it was determined to proceed against New-IiOndon. 

On receiving intelligence of these movements, Gen. Wash- 
ington ordered Gen. Glover's brigade to proceed rapidly towards 
.the Hudson. On his marcli he was requested to join the Cx>n- 
necticut milituv, and assist in repelling the invaders. Gen. Heath 
was ordered to take possession of New-Hedford, to assist like- 
wise. 15ut before the continental troops could arrive, Sir Hen- 
ry's attention was called to the Hudson. 

Gen. Washmyton. in order to relieve the public from the 
necessity of delcnsivo warfare, conceived a dcsi<;n against the 
very important post of King's Ferry. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCKNES. 375 

iSloni/ Point Taken. 

The commAnder-iu-chicf had used his best endeavors to gain 
correct iiitbrinntioii of tho sf.roiigth oi' .Stony Poiut, Ilcperson- 
iy reconnoitred the })ost, and conchuled to atto))ii)tit by surprise. 
Ifc concluded to attack Stony Point first, and should Ik; be 
snccesslul, his next olijecl was to attack Verj)huik's. To (Jen. 
Wayne the command of this (!x,p(;dition was given. Secrecy 
being deemed more essential to success thati numbers, it was 
thought unadvisablc to add to the force ah'eady on the Uncs. 
One brigade was ordered to commence its march, so as to reach 
the scene of action in time to cover the troops engaged in the 
.attack, in case of any unlocked for disaster ; and Maj. liCe, of 
the light dragoons, wiio had been eminently useful in obtaining 
the intelHgencc which led to the ent('r])rise, was associated wiIIj 
Cicn. Wayne, as far as cavahy could be employed in su«b. a 
fMU'vice. 

The night of the 15tli was fixed on for the assault ; and u 
beinj^ suspected that the garrison would probably bo more (>n 
their guard towards day, twelve was chosen for the hour. 

Stony Point is a commanding hill, projecting jar into the 
Hudson, which washes three-fourths of its base. The remain- 
ing fourth, is in a gieat measure covered by a deep marsh, 
•commencing near the river mi the upper side, and continuing 
mto it below. Over this n?arsh there is only one crossing ])!ace 
But at its junction with the river is a sandy beach passable at 
low tide. On the summit of this hill was erected a fort, whifh 
was furbished with a suflicient number of heavy pieces ol Oni- 
nance. Several breast-works and strong batteries were advan- 
K'-cd in front of the principal works, and about lialf way down 
the hill were two rows of abbalis. The butteries were calcula- 
ted to command the beach, and the crossing })lacc of the marsh, 
and to rake and enfilade any column which juight be advancinj,: 
i'rom either of those jioiuts towards the fort. In addition to 
these defences, several vessels of war were stationed in the river, 
so as in a considerable degree, to command the groinid at liie 
foot of tiie hill. 



37') AN .AMliRlCAN FIELD OF MAK9. 

TIk^ tort was giurisoncd by iibout six hundred men, und(3r the 
coinniniid ofliieut. Col. Johnson. 

At noon ot'the day prucoding the night of the attack, the lioflit 
i)iJantry commenced their march from Sandy-bcadi, distant 
fourtrcn mile-i from .Stony Ponit,and passini^ through an exces- 
sively rng'ged and mountainous country, arrived about eight in 
the atternoon at ^^jjring Steel's one and a liall miles from tin; 
fort, where the dispositions for the assault were made. 

It was intended to attack tlie works on the right and leit flanks* 
M. the same instant. The regiments of I'^ebiger, and of Meiggs, 
with Maj. Hull's detachment, formed the right column, and 
1 Sutler's legiment, witli two companies under Maj. Murfrce, 
Ibrmed the left. One hundred and fifly volunteers, led by Lieut. 
Col. Flcury and Maj. Posey, constituted the van of the right ; 
and one hundn'ci vohmteers under Maj. Stewart, composed the 
van of the left. At !iall'i)ast eleven, the two columns moved »u 
U) the charge, the van o\' each with unloaded muskets and lix- 
td bayonets. They were each |)receded by a forlorn hopi; of 
twenty men, the one commanded by Lieut. Gibbon, and the other 
Lieut. Knox, whose duty is was to remove the abbatis and other 
obstructions, in onler to open a passage for the columns which 
followed close in the rear. 

Proper measures having been taken to secure every individu- 
nl on the route who could give intelligence of their approach, 
the Americans reached the marsh undiscovered. Cut unexpect- 
ed dithcnltics having been experienced in surmounting this and 
other obstructions in the way, the assault did not commence 
until twenty minutes after twelve. Both columns then rushed 
forward, under a tremendous fire of musketry and grape shot. 
Surmountingevery obstac'e, they entered the works at the point 
I'f tlie bayonet, and without having discharged a single piece, 
obtained complete ])Ossession of the post. 

The humanity displayed by the conquerors was not less con- 
spieuous, nor less honorable, than their courage. Not a single 
individual suffered after resistance had cea.sed. 
All the troops engaged in this perilous service manifested a 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENE3. 377 

degree of ardor and impetuosity, which proved them lobe capa- 
ble of the most diiiicult enterprises ; and all distiiiguislied them- 
Kclves whose situation enabled them to do so. Col. Floury was 
the iirst to enter the fort and strike the British standard. Maj. 
Posey mounted the works almost iit the same instant, ;ind was 
llic first to give the watch-word — " The forts our own." Lieuta. 
Gibbon and Knox performed the service allotted to them with a 
degree of intrepidity which could not b« surpassed. Out c.^.' 
twenty men who constituted the party of the former, seventeen 
were killed, or wounded. 

The los.^ sustained by the garrison was not considerable. 
Tlie return made by Lieut. Col. Johnson represented tlieir dead 
ul only twenty including one captain, and their wounded at six 
oliicers, and sixty-eight privates. The return n)ade by Gen. 
Wayne states their dead at sixty-three, including two ofiiccs. 
This diflerence may be accounted for by supposing that among 
those Col, Johnson sujiposed to be missing, there were many 
killed. The prisoners amounted to five hundred and forty - 
three, among whom was one lieutenant colonel, four captains, 
and twenty subaltern officers. Tlie nnlitary stores taken in l!!>o 
fort were also considerable. 

Tlie loss sustained by the assailants was by no means propor- 
tioned to the ap])arent danger of the enterprise. The killed and 
wounded did not exceed one hundred men. Gen. Wayne him- 
self, who marched at the head of Febiger's regiment in the right 
column, received a slight wound in the head, which stunned 
him for u time but did not compel him to leave the colnnni. 
IJeing supported by liis aids, he entered the fort witfi the regi- 
ment. Lieut. Col. Hay was also among the wounded. 

Although the design upon fort I'^ayette had yielded to tho 
desire of securing the success of the attack on Htony l^oint, it 
liad not been abandoned. 

Two brigades under llio command of Gen. M'Dougal had 

been ordered to approach the enemy on the east side of the river, 

80 as to bo in readiness to attempt the worKs on Verfjlank's, 

where Col, Webster commanded, the instant Gen. Wayne should 

48 



378 AN AMERICAN FIELD OP MARS. 

obtain possession of Stony Point. The impression made by 
success on the west side of the river, and the annoyance which 
might be given fort Fayette from the commanding height on 
that side, would, it was supposed, greatly favor the attempt to be 
made on Verplank's. Tliat this detachment might not permit 
the favorable moment to pass unimproved, Wayne had been 
requested to direct the messenger who siiould bring the intelli- 
gence of his success to the commander-in-chief, to pass through 
M'Dougal's encampment, and give him the earliest advice of 
tliat event. He was also directed to turn the cannon of the fort 
immediately against Verplank's, and the shipping which lay in 
the river. The latter orders were executed, and a heavy can- 
nonade was opened on fort Fayette, and on the vessels, which 
were compelled to change their station, and to fall down the 
river. Unfortunately, through some misconception never ac- 
counted for, the messenger dispatched by Wayne did not call on 
Oen. M'Dougal, but proceeded directly to head-quarters, then at 
Slew Windsor. Thus every advantage expected to have been 
•derived from the first impression made by the capture of Stony 
'Point was lost, and the garrison had full leisure to recover from 
the surprise occasioned by that event, and to prepare for an 
attack. This change of circumstances rendered it necessary to 
change the plan of operation. Gen. Howe was directed to take 
the command of M'Dougal's detachment, to which were to be 
annexed some pieces of heavy battering artillery?', for the purpose 
of making a breach in the works. Having given these necessary 
orders. Gen. Washington repaired to Stony Pomt, whence he 
reconnoitred Verplank's, for the purpose of determining on the 
propriety of prosecuting the enterprise against that place. Be • 
ing of opinion that it was practicable to carry the works, and to 
capture the garrison, heordered Howe to proceed against it ; and. 
after ellectinir a breach in the walls, to make the proper disposi- 
tions for an assault, and to demand a surrender: but if the gar- 
rison should refuse to capitulate, he was not to attempt a storm 
until it should be dark. To these orders were annexed explicit 
instructions, not to hazard his- party by remaining before Ver- 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 379 

plank's, if the British should cross Crotoii river in force. In 
tliat event, his situation would become dangerous, and he was 
directed to retire to the Bald-hill, or to the Continental village. 

Through some unaccountable negligence in the persons 
charjjed with the execution of these orders, the heavy artillery 
•^as not accompanied with suitable ammunition, and the neces- 
sary intrenching tools were not brought. These omissions were 
supplied the next day ; but then it was too late to proceed 
against Verplank's. 

On receiving intelligence of the loss of Stony Point, and of 
the danger to which the garrison of fort P^'ayette was exposed, 
Sir Henry Clinton relinquished his views on Conned icut, and 
made a forced march from Dobb's ferry. Some troops were 
immediately dispatched up the river. This movement made it 
necessary for Gen. Howe to march towards the Highlands, 
whicli relieved fort 'Fayette. 

Gen. Washington thouglit it best to destroy the works, and 
retire as soon as it was done. Sir Henry Clinton immediately 
took possession of the works, and placed a strong garrison in it 
under Gen. Stirling and returned to Phillips. Gen. Washing- 
ton's head-quarters were transferred to West Point, that he might 
be able to superintend the works, and lend what aid he could 
spare to protect the sea coast. 

A detachment, commanded by Gen. Howe, was stationed at 
Ridgefield, Connecticut, with orders to protect the inhabitants as 
far as circumstances would permit, but not to risk much. Tlie 
two armies lay watching each other, frequently skirmishing, 
without any thing decisive. At length Sir Henry Clinton with- 
drew to New- York, and engaged in strengthening the fortifica- 
tions, so as to render them proof against attack ; and transfer- 
:i-ed the principal scenes of war to the southern states, as he ex- 
pected a reinforcement from Europe ; and was fully persuaded 
that nothing could be achieved up the tjudson river while 
"Washington held possession of the Highlands. The Britibh 
iieet sailed about this time for the relief of Penobscot. 

Early in June (1779) Col. M'Lean with six hundred and fifty 



wo AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

mori, penetrated from Nova Scotia, into the eastern and newly 
settled parts of Massachusetts, and took possession of a very 
defensible piece of ground on Penobscot, wliere he commenced 
Buch fortifications as indicated an intention permanently to 
maintain his position. 

Alavni<:d at^an invasion which threatened a serious diminu- 
tion of its territory, the state of Massachusetts determined to 
dislodge him ; and made extraordinary exertions to equip a fleet 
and raise an army for that purpose. A considerable naval arm- 
ament was prepared to be commanded by Com. Saltonstal, 
on board of which was embarked an army amounting to be- 
tween three and four thousand men, under Gen. Lovell. 

With so much celerity had the preparations for this expedition 
been made, that as early as the 25th of July, the whole arma- 
ment appeared in the Penobscot. 

The ground on which M'Lean had commenced his fortifica- 
tions was a peninsula on the eastern side of the Penobscot, the 
west point of which ran deep into the river. He had taken the 
precaution to intrench the isthmus connecting it with the conti- 
nent, and the part towards the river, which was in some degree 
defended by his Irigates, and batteries, was steep and difhcultot 
access. Al.ing this high bank, piquets were stationed ; his prin- 
cipal work being about the centre of the peninsula. After be- 
ing repulsed in his first attempt. Gen. Lovell at length effected 
a landing on the western part of the peninsula, where he ascend- 
ed a precipice of not less than two hundred feet, and part ot 
which was nearly perpendicular; and. with the loss of only 
fifty men killed and wounded, drove from the ground the party 
which defended it. Here, a battery was erected, within seven 
hundred and fifty yards of the main work of the besieged, and 
ft warm cauaonade was kept up lor several days on both sides. 

Perceiving the difficulty of carrying the place either by storm, 
or by a regular siege, with a militia impatient to return to their 
homes, Gen. Lovell represented his situation to the governor of 
Massachusetts, who applied to Gen. Gates, then commanding; at 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 381 

Providence, for a reinforcement of four hundred continental 
troops. This request was readily granted, and Col. Jackson 
with his regiment was immediately put in motion, la the mean 
time, an ineffectual cannonade was kept up, and preparations 
were made to storm the works so soon as he should arrive. 

Such was the posture of alfairs, on the 13th of August, when 
Lovell received information that Sir Georae Collier had entered 
the river with a superior naval force. He immediately re-crn- 
barked his whole army. This operation was conducted in the 
night, and with such silence as to be undiscovered by the garri- 
son, who were in their lines, expecting the assault which the 
preparations of Lovell had indicated. The American flotilla 
then drew up in a crescent across the river, as if determined to 
maintam its position. This show of resistance was made in 
the hope of stopping the enemy, until the land forces on board 
the transports could be conveyed some distance up the river, to 
a place where they might safely disembark on the western shore. 
Bat the British Admiral was too confident in his strength to 
permit this stratagem to succeed ; and as he approached, the 
Americans sought for safety in flight. A general chase and un- 
resisted destruction took place. The Warren, a fine new irig- 
ate of 32 eighteen and twelve pounders, with five others, carry- 
ing from twenty to twenty-four guns each, were blown up. 
Nine vessels carrying from twelve to eighteen guns, and four of 
a still smaller size, experienced the same fate. 

The transports on board which were ihe land forces, not being 
covered by the ships of war, fled in the utmost confusion up the 
river. Being pursued by the British squadron, the troops land- 
ed in a wild uncultivated country, without provisions or other 
necessaries, and had to explore their way through a pathless 
desert, ior more than a hundred miles, before they cruld reach 
a place where supplies were to be obtained. Exhausted with 
famine and fatigue, they at length gained the settled parts of the 
country, after having lost several men, who perished in the 
woods- 

The conduct of the commodore was severely reprobated 



382 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

Though unequal to the enemy in force, it was supposed that 
resistance ought to have been made ; and although the loss 
might have been inevitable, some alleviiition would have been 
found in the reflection that it was sustained without disgrace. 

Sir Henry Clinton still continued just above Haerlem, and 
Washington at West Point. 

Strong parties were often sent down the river to check Sir 
Henry's marauding plunderers. 

About this lime Maj. Lee suggested to Gen. Washington tho 
idea of surprising the British garrison on Powles Hook, on tiwj 
•AT eat side of the river, opposite Few- York. 

On the east point of the Hook^. ndar New-York, was a fort, 
three block houses, and some redoubts, with a garrison of fivo 
hundred men. 

Gen. Washington acceded to the proposal, and Maj. Lee pro- 
pared for the enterprise. Every arrangement being made, the 
ISth of August was fixed upon as the day. A detachment 
from the division of Lord Stirling, including three hundred mi- 
litia designed for the occasion, was ordered down as a foraging 
party. The American troops having frequently foraged in the 
same tract of country, this movement excited no' suspicions. 
Ijord Stirling followed with five hundred men, and posted him- 
self at the new bridge, so as to afford his assistance should it be 
necessary. 

At the head of three hundred men, Maj. Lee took th^ road 
dirough the mountains which run parallel with the North river; 
and, having secured all the passes into York Island, reached 
tlie creek which surrounds the Hock, between two and three in 
the morning. 

Here he halted, and detached a chosen officer with a few se- 
lect men to proceed under cover of the night to the ditch, in or- 
der to discover from the appearance of the garrison, whether 
notice of his approach had been received. 

Every thing within the Hook exhibiting the appearance of 
negligent security, Lee passed first the creek, and then the ditch, 
undiscovered. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 383 

About three in the morning, after a feeble resistance, he en- 
tered the main v/ork, and with the loss of only two killed and 
three wounded, made one hundred and fifty-nine prisoners, in- 
cluding two or three officers. Very few of the British were 
killed. Maj. Southerland, who commanded the g-arrison, threw 
himself with forty or fifty Hessians into a strong redoubt, which 
it was thought unadvisable to attack, because the time employed 
in carrying it, might endanger the retreat. The guns fired in 
New- York, and from the ships lying in the harbor, proved that 
the alarm was completely given. Maj. Lee determined not to 
hazard hi,s party, and the advantage already gained, by attacking 
works which he had reason to suppose would be defended. 
Wasting no time in destroying what could easily be replaced, 
he with the utmost expedition, brought off his prisoners, and 
his detachment. 

To avoid the danger of a retreat up the narrow neck of land 
between the Hudson and Hackensack rivers, some boats had 
been brought from Pluckerain to Newark the preceding evening, 
from which place they were carried in the night to Dow's ferry 
on the Hackensack, not far from Powles Hook. They were 
guarded by a trusty ofiicer of Lee's corps, who was directed 
to remain with them until the arrival of the troops engaged in 
the expedition. This, it was understood, would happen before 
day, as it had been designed to make the attack at midnight. 
Day having made its appearnce without any intelligence from 
Maj. Lee, the officer guarding the boats was led to believe thaJ 
tlie attack had been postponed. The danger of his situation, 
and the fear that his being discovered would disclose the object, 
and prevent its execution on a subsequent night, induced him 
to retire with the boats to Newark. The head of the retreating 
column soon afterwards reached the ferry, where they had the 
mortification lo perceive that the boats were gone. Fatigued as 
they were, no alternative remained but to pass as rapidly as 
possible up the narrow neck of land between the two rivers, 
about fourteen miles, to the new bridge, which was the first 
place the Hackensack could be crossed without boats. A 



3S4 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MAR3. 

horseman was dispatched with this information to Lord Stirling, 
and the line of march was immediately taken up. 

About nine in the preceding evening, JMaj. Buslcirk had been 
detached ap the Hudson river wilh a considerable part of tho 
garrison of Powles Hook and some other troops, for the pnrposR 
of falling in with the American party supposed to be foraging- 
alx)ut the English neighborhood. 

On receiving intelligence of the disappointment respecting 
the boats. Lord Stirling took the precautioti immediately to de- 
tach Col. Ball, with two hundred fresh men to meet Lee, and 
cover his retreat. Just after he had passed Ball, Buskirk enter- 
ed the the main road, and fired on his rear. Taking it for 
granted, as was indeed very probable, that this was the advan- 
ced corps of a much larger body which had been detached to 
intercept the party retreating Irom Powles Hook. Ball made a 
circuit to avoid the enemy, and Buskirk, finding a detachment 
he had not expected, took the same measure to secure his own 
retreat. The two parties narrowly missing each other, returned 
to their respective points of depnrture. 

This critical enterprise, reflected much honor on the talent? 
of the partisan with whom it originated, and by whom it wa5 
conducted. Gen. Washington annoimced it to his army in his 
orders with much approbation, and congress bestowed upon it a 
degree of applause more adapted to the merit and talents dis- 
played in performing the service, than to its magnitude. 

A few days after this atfair, the long expected British fleet, 
under the command of Admiral Arbuthnot, arrived from Eu- 
rope with a large reinforcement. Sir Henry Clinton not being 
ready lor immediate olTensive operations to the southward, tliiB 
fleet was soon followed by one from France, commanded by 
Count D'Estaing, which stopped Sir Henry's triumph for the 
present in the south, and the knifjht thought it best to provido 
for his own safety, and protect New-York. Lord Cornwall ia, 
who had embarked with a detachment for the south, soon re- 
turned ; the troops from Rhode-Island were also ordered to New- 
York, where unremitted exertions were daily making to strength- 



SIEVOLUTIOXARY SCENES. 3S5 

c»^a tke works against their triumphant rebel neighbors, whose 
popularity was last advancing, while Sir Henry's was sinking 
in a ten fold ratio. The earnest representation made by onr a- 
gcui in France prevailed, and Count D'Estaing was instructed 
to lend us all the rid in his power. The present occasion seem- 
ed a favorable one ; the British army nearly all in New- York, 
and Georgia still in their handS; the recovery of which was 
Tuuch wished for. Gen. Lincoln, the Governor of South-Car- 
olina, and the French Consul at Charleston, urged the plan of co- 
operation for its recovery. 

Attack on tSava}}n(iJi. 

Yielding to these solicitations, \ho Count sailed with tweiity- 
two ships of the line anJ eleven frigates, having on board about 
six thousand land forces, from Cape Francois, to which place he 
retired after the naval engagement near Grenada, and arriv'id so 
suddenly on the southern coast of America, that the Experiment 
of fifty guns, and three British frigates fell into his hands. A 
vessel was dispatched to Charleslon with information of his ar- 
rival, on the receipt of which, Gen. Lincoln concerted a plan 
for the siege of Savannah, with major general viscount De Fon- 
tanges, who had been dispatched to him by the French admiral, 
and with the executive of Sou*h Carolina. It was agreed that 
on the 11th of September, D'Estaing would land three thousand 
men at Beaulieu ; and that on the same daj'^, Lincoln would 
cross the Savannah with one thousand Americans, and etlect a 
junction with him. 

To facilitate the landing of the French troops, a number ol 
small vessels were sent round from Charleston, and the militia 
were ordered to assemble for the purpose of aiding these milita- 
ry operations, from which the liberation of the whole southern 
country was confidently expected. 

The town of Savannah was at that time the head quarters of 
general Prevost who still commanded in the southern depart 
raent. Apprehending no immediate danger, he had weakened 
49 



386 AN AMCmCAN FIELD OF MARS. 

liie garrison by the establishment of several distant out-posts hv 
Georgia, and by leaving Gol. Maitland with a strong detachment 
ill the island of Port Royal in South-Carolina. 

On the first appearance of the French licet, expresses were 
diLjpatched to Col. Maitland, and to all the out-posts, directing 
tlic troops to repair without loss of time to Savannah. These 
orders were promptly obeyed ; and on the 10th of September 
the several detachments in Georgia had all arrived in safety, 
except the sick and convalescent of the garrison of Sunbury^ 
who being unable to march, were embarked on board an armed- 
vessel, in wliich they were detained by contrary w^inds until they 
were intercepted. 

On the 11th, Gen. Lincohi reached Zubly's ferry and threw 
over a part of fcis troops ; but he found much greater difficulty 
in crossing the river liian had been apprehended. The adjoin- 
ing marsh is three miles over, and several deep creeks pass 
through it. The bridges over them had been broken down by 
Gen. Prevost ; and. to increase the embarrassment, a sufficient' 
number of boats could not be procured. 

These circumstances unavoidably produced such delay, that 
the troops and baggage had not entirely passed the river until tlie 
evening of the 13th, when they encamped on the heights of Eb- 
cnezer, l.venty-three miles from the town of Savannah, where 
they were joined by Gen. M Intosh with the corps which had 
been stiUioned at Augusta. On the li5th Lincoln was assured 
that the French had disemba)ked in force, and tb.e next day s 
junction between the two armies was formed before the town of 
Savannah. 

The French fleet had passed Ossiban bar on the 12th, and on 
the following night, had landed about tliree thousand men at 
I?eaulieu. On the 15th, they were joined by Pulaski with his 
legion ; after which, some skirmishing took place in front of 
the British lines, and the next day, before the arrival of Gen. 
Lincoln, the count D'Estaing sent in a summons requiring the 
gn,rri50n to surrender to the arms of the king of France. 
From tlie first appearance of tlie French fleet, Gen. Prevost 



REVGLUTIONAIIY SCENES. 387 

had been most assiduously employed in preparino; for a vi,^orous 
delence. He seems, however, to have been desirous ot gaiiiing- 
timo, and therefore, answered the sunnnons in such a manner 
ns to encourage the opinion that he designed to capitulate. lie 
invited the count D'Estaing to propose terms, if he had any to 
oiler ; and on its being observed in reply that it was the province 
of the besieged to propose such terms as they might desire, he 
requested a suspension of hostilities lor twenty-four hours, 
which was granted iiim. In the course of that critical and im- 
portant interval, Col. Maitland arrived from Beaufort, with t!ie 
detachment which had hQen stationed at that place. 

As the French vessels were in possession of the main channel 
by which the Savannah communicates with (he sea. Col. Mait- 
land reached the town by a route which had not been deemed 
practicable. lie came round by Dawfuskie, an island JUTth of 
t^ie mouth of the river, and landing in a deep marsh, drew his 
boats througli it into the Savannah, above the place where the 
ships lay at anchor ; and thence, made his way by small parties 
into the town. 

On receiving this re-inforcement, it was determiuGd in a coun- 
cil to defend the place to the last extremity; and the next day. 
Ibis resolution was commimicated to D'Estaiiig. 

After reconnoitring the works, it was thoiTght nnadvisable to 
attempt them by storm. The two generals concurred in the 
resolution, that the eifect of artillery should first be tried upon 
them, and several days were employed in bringing up the heavy 
ordnance and stores from the fleet. 

On the 23d, the besieging army broke ground, and by the 1st 
of October, had pushed their sap within three hundred yards of 
the abattis on the left of the British works. Several batteries 
containing thirty-three pieces of heavy cannon, and nine mortars, 
liad also opened on the besieged, and for several days, had play- 
ed almost incessantly upon them. At the same time, a battery 
©I sixteen guns was opened from the water. But this cannonade 
made no impression on the works. 

The situation cf D'Estaing was becoming very critical. More 



nSS AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS, 

time had already been consumed on the coast of Georgia, than 
he had originally supposed would be necessary for acconiplish- 
inir the total destruction of the British force in tiiat state. He be- 
came uneasy for the possessions of France in the West Indies, 
which, during his absence, were left in a considerable degree un- 
guarded ; nor was he without apprehensions for the safety of tlio 
ships under his command. The naval officers remonstrated 
strenuously against longer exposing so valuable a fleet on an in- 
secure coast, at a tempestuous season of the year. The danger 
that a British squadron, refitted and re-enforced so as to become 
equal or superior in point of strength, might overtake them, bro- 
ken and scattered by a storm, was urged with a degree of perse- 
vering earnestness which the Count found himself incapable of 
resisting. 

In a few days, the lines of the besiegers might have been car- 
ried by regular approaches, into the works of the besieged, which 
would have rendered the capture of the town and garrison inev- 
itable. But D'Estaing declared that he could devote no more 
time to this object, and it only remained to raise the siege, or to 
attempt to curry the works by storm. The latter part of the al- 
ternative was adopted. 

On the left of the allied army was a swampy hollow way 
which afforded a cover for troops advancing on the ris^ht flank ot 
the besieged, to a point not exceeding the distance of fifty yards 
irom their principal v/orks. Along this hollow, it was determin- 
ed to proceed to the main attack, while feints should be directed 
against other parts of their lines. 

Before day, on the morning of the 9th of October, a heavy can- 
nonade and bombardment was commenced from all the batteries, 
and the flower of the French and American troops were drawn 
out. About three ihousand five hundred of the former, and one 
thousand of the latter, of whom between six and seven hundred 
were continental soldiers, and the residue militia of Charleston, 
cxDUstituted the body which was to make the real attack ; whil« 
the militia of the country were to .divide the attention of the be- 
sieged by feints in other quarters. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 389 

The combined forces advanced in three columns, led by D'Es- 
taing and Lincoln aided by the principal officers of both nations, 
nnd made a furious charade on the British lines. Their reception 
vas warmer than had been expected. The besieged were en- 
tirely prepared for the attack ; their lines were completely man- 
tled; and their works had been skilfully constructed. The fire 
from their batteries reached every part of the columns of the as- 
sailants which had emerged from the swamp, and did 2;reat ex- 
ecution. Yet the attacking troops advanced with ardor, pressed 
through the abattis, crossed the ditch and mounted the parapet. 
Both the French and the Americans planted their standards on 
the walls, and were slaughtered in great numbers, wiiile endeav- 
oring to force their way into the works. For about fifty mmutes 
the contest was extremely obstinate. At length, warmly opposed 
in front by an enemy fightmg under cover, and severely galled 
in their flanks by artillery incessantly pouring on them, the col- 
umns of the assailants began to relax, and something like a 
pause was manifested in the assault. While penetrating tl.e 
works at the head of about two hundred horse, in order to charge 
in the rear, count Pulaski received a mortal wound, and his 
cavalry was broken. 

In this critical moment, Maj. Glaziers at the head of a body 
of grenadiers and marines, rushing suddenly from the lines, 
threw himself furiously on those who had made their way into 
the redoubts, and drove them over the ditch and abattis into the 
hollow and swamp through v/hich they had marched to the at- 
tack. It being apparent that further perseverance could produce 
uo advantage, a retreat was ordered. 

In this unsuccessful attempt, the loss ot the French, in killed 
and wounded, was about seven hundred men. Among the latter, 
were the count D'Estaing himself, mnjor general do Fontanges, 
and several other officers of distinction. The continental troops 
lost two hundred and thirty-four men, and the Charleston mili- 
tia, who tfiough united with them in danger, were more fortu- 
si-Me, had one captain killed and six privates wounded. 

The loss of the garrison was astonishingly small. In killed 



300 kS AMERICAN FIELD OF iMAIlS. 

■und woundod, it amomiled only to fifty-five. So great were llie 
ndvantnjres of the cover afforded by their works. 

After this repulse, all liope of success was lost; and the count 
D'Estaing notiiied to Gen. Liincoln his determination imtnedi- 
ately to raise the siege. The remonstrances of that oflicm 
were without effect. The motives which had induced tiie assault 
wre decisive j^gainst a further continuance of the French ar- 
mament in Georgia; ond the removal of the hgavy ordnance and 
stores was commenced. This being effected, both armies moved 
h'om thcxr ground on the evening of the ISth of October. The 
American.'?, re-crossing the Savannah at Zubly's ferry, again took 
))ost in South-Carolina. Tiie French, having marched only 
two miles the evening on which the siege was raised, remuinciJ 
the next day on their ground, in order to cover Gen. Lincoln 
from the pursuit at the garrison; alter which their re-embarka- 
tion was effected. A violent gale immediately came on which 
dispersed the whole fleet ; and though the Count had directed 
seven sail to repair to Hampton road in Virginia, the marquis ol 
Vai'dreuil was tlie only ollicer who was able to execute tI:o 
order. 

On receiving intelligence from Gen. Lincoln, Gen. "Washing- 
ton sent all the aid he could spare to the southern states. 

The summer of 1779 passed away on the part of Americn, 
without aciiieving much to put an end to tliis unjust and bloody 
war. In Europe, matters turned in our favor. Spain determiu- 
ctl to unite with France, and make one common cause with Iter 
and the United States, against Great Britain. Spain yielded to 
the cabinet of Ycrsnilles rather rehictantly. Jealous oi her pow- 
er at sea, and wiiihing to recover Gibralter, Jamaica, and the 
Floridas, she was finally induced to seize the opportunity then 
offered to cripple the British empire. But yet, she dreaded the 
influence that the independence of the United States would have 
on her colonies in South-America. So his Catholic Majesty 
determined to sunder the United States from the mother coun- 
try by negotiation, rather than by the sword. "With this inten- 
■tion, he jiviade overtures to the belligere^its, which were xeailily 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 391 

accepted by France, but evaded by England, who would Dot 
acknowledge the entire independence of the United States ; and 
after a long and fruitless attempt on the part of Spain, the uego- 
tiatioa was broken off, and his Catholic Majesty determined to 
take part in the war ; and ordered the Marquis D'Almadover, his 
minister in I^ondon, to deliver a rescript to Lord Weynioutli. 
one of the principrd Secretaries of State, in which he rccapitai;> 
4ed the complaints of Spain against Great Britain, and declfiTed 
iiis determination to use all the means with which the Almighty 
had entrusted him, to obtain that justice which he had soliciud 
so many ways without being able to acquire. 

This alliance with Spain was a wished for event ; but Lt'r 
pretensions to certain boundaries of her territories east of the 
Mississippi, and the right of navigating thot river, were proi'rii- 
idons that prolonged the negotiation till the close of the qcah- 
paign ol 1779. 

Gen. Washington urged the civil authorities to prepare ni 
time for the ensuing campaign ; stating that betv/een the first oi 
June and the month of October, 1779, the term of nearly Luir 
the army would expire. He pressed Congress and the state au- 
thorities to attend to this important part of their duty, and have 
the grades of men ready in winter to take the field early in ihc 
spring, trained for the purpose. This request, whicli, from iho 
commencement of tlie war, had been urged every year, was Cii 
that occasion slowly complied with. The requisition for die 
year 1780, was not agreed on until the 9th of February, and did 
not require the quotas to be furnished till the first of April. 

On receiving intelligence of the defeat of the ailj.:s, before Sa- 
vannah, Sir Henry Clinton, who had received a large reinforce- 
ment from England, and having a great force in New-"i ork, 
resumed his plan of active operations in the south. A .jrge 
detachment sailed from New- York about the lait of Dccen-ter, 
commanded by Sir Henry in person. The defence of that < ity 
was entrusted to Gen. Knyphauscn. 

On the first news of the fleet's sailing, Gen. AVashington con- 
reived his design must be against Charleston, S. C, and has!c iifd 



?'92 AN AMERICAX FIELD Of MARS. 

lorward all the militia from North-Carolina and Virginia, and a 
division of cavalry, to reinforce Gen. Lincoln. 

The cau)paign of 1770 was now at an end, and preparations 
wore making for winter quarters. It had now become the meth- 
od for the soldiers to vrinter in Imts, built for the purpose, in 
some secure position, where wood and water were plentj'. 

The nnny was now divided into two grand divisions. Ono, 
railed the nortliern division, com.manded by Gen. Heath, lay at 
Wcst-Poini; the other, and principal division, commanded by 
Gen. "Washington in person, lay at Morristown, in the Jerseys — 
the army was conducted to that place late '.n December. 



A 31 E R I C A N W O M E N , 

Tlie zeal vviih which tlic cause of liberty was embraced by 
1 lie women ot America, during ilic wai of the revolution, I)a.> 
ofu-n becii mentioned with admiration and praise. Tlie follow 
iri'.f anecdotes will forcibly iUustrate the extent and strength of 
til 15 patriotic feeling: 

To Mrs. Piuckney, the wife of Col. Charles Pinckney, a Bri- 
ti.-li olHcer once said, '-It is impossible not to admire the firni- 
n-^ss of tlie ladies of your country. Had your men but half tlieir 
nsolution, we might give up tlie contest. America would bo 
uu'incil)le.-' 

;\Irs. Daniel Hall having obtained permission to pay a visit U>. 
her mother on John's island, was on the point of embarking, 
when an ofRcer stepped forward, aiid in an authoritative manner 
demanded the key of her trunk. " What do you expect to find 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. oV^ 

there?'* said the lady. "I seek for treason," was the reply, 
•^ You may save yourself the trouble of search, tlieij," said Mrs. 
Hall — "You may find a plenty of it at my tongue's end." 

An officer, distinp^uished for his inhumanity and con-9t;tnt 
oppression ot the unfortunate, meeting Mrs. Charles Elliott in 
n frarden adorned with a great variety of flowers, asked the name 
of the camomile, Vv^liich appeared to flourish with peculiar luxn- 
rinncc— "the Rebel Flower;^ she replied. "Why was that 
name given to it?" said the officer. " Because," rejoined tlie 
lady, " it thrives mnst when most trampled upon.''' 

So much were the women attached to the whig interest, ha- 
bituated to injuries, and so resolute in supporting them, that 
they would jocosely speak of misfortunes, though, at that mo- 
ment severely suffering under their pressure. Mrs. Sabrinu 
I'llliott, having v/itnessed the activity of an officer, who hfid 
ordered the plundering of poultry houses, finding an old jMuh- 
covy drn'iie which had escaped the general search; still straying 
libout the premises, had him caught, and mounting a servant on 
liorseback, ordered him to follow and deliver the bird to the offi- 
cer, with Iier compliments, as she concluded that in the hurry oi 
departure, it hnd been left altogether by accident^ 

The contrivance adopted by the ladies, to carry from the Bri- 
tish garrison supplies to the defenders of our country, woro 
luLfhly creditable to Ib.eir ingenuit}', and of infinite utility to their 
iViend^. The cloth of many a military coat, concealed with art 
ar.d not unlrequcntly made an appendage to female attire, has 
escaped the vigilance of the guards, expressly stationed to prevent 
smuggling, and speedily converted into military shape, and worn, 
triumphantly in battle. Boots have, in many instances, bceti 
relinquished by the delicate wearer to the active partizan. I 
have seen a horseman's helmet concealed by a well arranged 
head dress, and epaideltcs delivered from the folds of the simple 
c;ip of the matron. Feathers and cockades were much in de- 
mand, and so cunningly hid and handsomely presented, that ii/i 
e-ould have been no true knight who did not feel the obli^-atiou 
to defend them to the last extremity. 
50 



394 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

In the indulgence of wanton asperities towards the patriotic 
fair, the aggressors were not unfrequently answered with Icecn- 
ncss of repartee that loft them little cause for triumph. The 
haughty Tarleton, vaunting his feats of gallantry to the great dis- 
paragement of the continental cavalry, said to a lady at Wil- 
mington, '-I have a vory earnest desire to see your far famed 
hero. Col. Washington." "Your wish, Colonel, might hayo 
been fully grn.tified," she promptly replied, " had you ventured 
tD look behind you after the battle of Cowpeiis." It was at this 
battle, that Washington had wounded Tarleton in the hand, 
which gave rise to a still more pointed retort. Conversing with 
Mrs. Wiley Jones, Col. Tarleton observed, "You appear to think 
very higlily of Col. Washington, and yet I am told that he is so 
ignorant a fellow, that he can hardly wriic his own name." " It 
may be the case," she readily replied, "but no man better than 
yourselt^. Colonel, can testify, that he knows how to make hii 
mark.'' 



CAMPAIGIN OF 1779. 



Great Britain finds her potciit arm too wetik, 
] ier veterans stag:{erecl, hcr.ios on retreat ; 
While shame sits liovermgo'er her Parliament, 
And wounded pride iorsees the great event — 
Ilcr arms, nor thnnder, nor gigantic power, 
Terrific threats, nor navies to devour, 
Can conquer or subdue the virtuous brave, 
Or emancipated freemen's rights enslave. 
Tlien to seduction and the traitor's art. 
Proffers her gold to buy the virtuous heart ; 
Contempt, disdain, and wrath was the result. 
The honored bosom spurned the base insult ; 
And with a sharp and spirited reply, 
f^rect they stood and all tlieir arts defy. 
Five thousand crowns, the royal proffer made, 
Wiis a. small sum for coniidence betrayed. 
No ! says the sage ; your kingdom cannot pay, 
Nor buy, though poor, this little lump of clay. 
Foiled in the attempt of base, insidiovis art. 
To find a Judas, or corrupt a heart, 
(."Chagrined with disappointment, mad with rage, 
War of destruction they resolved to wage ; 
Too proud to stoop to what the fites decree. 
With threats proceed to seal our destiny, 
While manifestos from the royal hand 
.Spread frre and devastotion round the land, 
liig words and swelling sounds, in dusky air 
Oppr^^ssion rolls upon her sable car ; 
Rebellious subjects crush tiic rising lame, 



3^» 



AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 



Although unable to suppress the flame. 
If we with France alliance mean to hold, 
yiii all as slaves must be like bullocks sold. 

Tluiir idle threat was met with keen disdain 
Cy Congress — fearless of the dreadful chain 
I'orged by the tyrant, under black despair, 
Which none but slaves and sycophants will bear. 
If, says our country, you presume or dare 
To execute your mad pretensions here, 
iJost signal vengeance shall make you repent. 
And own your madness iw the rash attempt ; 
Make otliers tremble in the very name, 
And barbarous nations hide their heads for shame. 
We appeal to God, the Searcher of all hearts, 
To guide our councils, while our country smarts 
Under the rod of lawless pov/er, unfurled 
To crush the laws of nature o'er the world. 
No hasty passions, no suggestion's rnge, 
Prompts us to anger, or revenge to wage ; 
^riiough firm to us, determined to adhere, 
The first in peace, the last in war appear. 

The Marquis La Fayette returned to France, 
With thanks of Congress, and his name advanced 
Amongst our heroes whose renown in arms 
Spreads o'er the world, America adorns ; 
His youthful ardor and his warlike fame 
Engraved on memory, while the hero's name 
Shall dwell on every tongue, where liberty 
LirecLs her standard under Deity. 

77/ e /torrid Trai^cdy of Wyomirig-. 

War now awakes ! its horrid sound renevv's! 
Mars, red like crimson, Hushed with warlike news ; 
Tories and Indians, an infernal crew, 
Prom hell's black regions soon appeared in view, 
Issuing from haunts, like some wild beasts of prey. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES, 

At midnight hour, 'fraid of the font of day. 
Great Britain's ally — ah ! let nature blush, 
And from her rolls of fame recitals hush. 
Can earth call human cursed barbarity ? 
And Christians those whose life is butchery? 
Tory, tliat name forever stigmatized. 
Disgraced iii hell, in Britain realized ; 
On all thy records. Earth ! let it be cursed, 
ind on Doom's day return its shade to dust. 

Ah, Susquehannah ! could'st thou tell the tale, 
Thy waters all in tears would wash the vale. 
And cleanse the stain dyed deep with mothers blood. 
And murdered infants crying to their God. 
A doleful band of savage beasts of prey, 
Full sixteen hundred, armed in dread array. 
Devils in human shape, suddenly appear, 
While day rolled back and stood aghast with fear. 
This band of furies soon began their play, 
Slaughter and massacre marked out their way ; 
The elements with screams and savage yells, 
Resembles ether changing into hells. 
The muskets rattle, and the dying groans. 
The rush of battle, and the piteous moans 
Oi fear struck mortals, flying, God knows where, 
Pursued by demons savage as a bear , 
All, all conspire to lill the mmd with dread, 
Of horrors deepest colors ever red. 
The country roused, and in an instant flew 
To arms ! to arms ! attack the infernal crew ; 
Unequal contest to contend in fight. 
Of four to one, in the dark shades of night. 
Col. John Butler and his little band, 
The demon furies could not long withstand ; 
Slaughtered like sheep before the hungry wolves ; 
The jaws of death this Spartan band engulfed, 
Dreadful the murder and the horrid scene 



3fT 



2\1S AN AMERICAN FIELD OK M.VRS. 

or savage cruelty and sava^-e mien, 

Monsters of nature dressed m terror's form 

To heighten nature terrible i;i arms. 

Kinjfston fortress to (he conquerors yield, 

And fort V.'ilkesbury to the sable shield 

Of death and siaufifhter, without incrcy dealt 

On the defenceless who their lury felt. 

Can heaven behold such scenes of misery, 

And slumbering- vengeance rest with Deity? 

Vv''hy not send down the thunder bolts of v/rath. 

And hurl them hea^^long to thy center earth ? 

Burbarity must slirink — ah ! can it be ? 

Can it survey t;:3 next sad tr^uiedy? 

Tories and Indians, curse tlie infernal dec?d, 

When they themselves shall Reason's lectures read. 

Can I relate, can I, oh ! reader, tell 

The dreadful story of these sons oi hell? 

Blinded to all. but madness to devour, 

Each age and sex that fell within their po-^rer, 

And with the blaze of houses send on high 

The motlier r.nd her children to the sky, 

While rolling flames and clouds of smoke ascend 

To God llieir father, now their only friend — 

Eurnt, burnt to death. Sigh ! sigh, humanity ; 

Can human shape behold such misery? 

Compared to devil's they far worse m.ust be, 

Devils to devils damned, all, all agree. 

War, mad with rage, and marble hearts run wild. 

While fury brandished, stained the dreadful child. 

Called human. Mars must blush to see 

This wanton rage and barbarous massacre. 

With fire and sword this rutlilessband of prey 

Ransack their dwellings and tlie town destroy. 

In one destruction, savage fierceness dooms 

Men, cattle, horses, children, wives and homes. 

Such black outrage against humanity, 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES, 

Records the triumph of rJl tyranny ; 

Which sooii recoils, efern ally disgraced, 

A nuisance stigmatised, his name erased, 

While God in vengeance, with tremendous thunder 

Shall drive those monsters to eternal slumber. 

October fifth ttie ravaged scenes survey, 

Destruction travels with relentless sway . 

Day after day records oppression's power, 

And marks the tyiant, ready to devour — 

Kis hungry jaws besmeared with human blood, 

His hands are crimsoned by the purple flood, 

Deaf is his ears to the lamenting cries 

That rend the air, ascending to the skies. 

At Chestnut rieck Mars deep records his name. 

And sends tlie village with its curling flame 

To ether's elements involved in smoke, 

And to tlie God of ancient ages spok<;. 

Vengeance is tliine, almighty sage attend, 

Thy helpless children from the foe defend; 

Send to our aid protection from on high, 

And scon rge the power of lawless tyranny. 

. Britain, Veho-d thy doom, and hear it read — 

Thy sons infamous, when by villians led-; 

Alarming scenes of murder and dismay,. 

Awake with morn and travel through the day. 

The trembling elements with fame resound. 

While perched on iiigh, and trembling v/ith her wouiid, 

Nature ne'er made, or human nature found 

The stamp of greatness in a warlike sound. 

Dread fills the page, and horror fills the name, 

Where kings oppress and minions fight for gain. 

The name of Ferguson, stained deep with blood, 
Must stand in judgment and arise to God, 
To answer conscience for a murderous deed, 
That made the heart of many a widow bleed. 
The fifteenth ope'd, with the blaze of day, 



399 



AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MAUa. 

While pitying nature turned her face away ; 
Aurora's blush shone crimson, stained with gore, 
And wounded anguish groaned along the sliore; 
Grim death stood ready, at a moment's call, 
To send a fatal shower of shot and ball, 
While Fursfuson leads on his hostile bands 
Beneath night's curtain, and liis army lands. 
Night's sable shade that nature casts around, 
And silence reigning on the deep profound, 
Covered from mortal sight his bold advance — 
Wolf-like, by stealth, his fiery eye-balls glance, 
And by the scent of carnage to ensue 
He snuffed his path, which stronger scented grew, 
And like a hound prepared his hungry jaw 
For a rich breakfast to appease his mavv'. 
Scarce had the rolling wheels of Sols advance 
Sent forth a ray to tinge the eastern glance, 
Shot from refulgence to announce the day, 
When by surprise he leaped upon his prey. 
Death starts with thunder and sulphurous fire, 
With cannon's rattle rending through the air- 
Like as the day of doom, all, all surprise ; 
To arms ! to arms ! are the surrounding cries. 
Pulaski's regiment rallied at the call, 
Sorely saluted by the sword aiid ball ; 
Baron de Base and Ue La Dorderic fell, 
And fifty privates — ah, 'tis sad to tell. 
Slaughtered in cool blood, while tlie savage foe, 
Deaf to their cries, for mercy dealt the blow. 
Can Christian nations sanction such outrage, 
And Christian virtue in such scenes engage? 
No ! George's crown is stained with cruelty, 
And British honor sunk to infamy. 
Count Pulaski, whose renown on fame 
Carries the greatness of a worthy name. 
Sudden, with cavalry, charged the galling fo«, 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 401 

A.nd dealt destruction to his overthrow, 
Drove Ferguson nnd his infernal crew, 
Like fugitives before his cavalry llew ; 
Awakened vengeance, with redoubled wrath, 
O'crtook the murderers in the scented path ; 
Back to their fleet these blood-hounds swiftly run, 
Pursued by cannon, pistol, sword, and gun. 

England still raging with reveng-elul wrath, 
Sends forth lier servants as a plague to earth ; 
The savage aspect whicli her mandate bears 
The sabie mantle of oppression wears ; 
She sends her fleet, armed with the wand — distress, 
To range the seas the leeble to oppress, 
And pirate-like to murder, take, destroy, 
And every artifice of war employ. 



Arrival of ike British Fleet, under Admiral Grave. 

October sixteenth, with his shattered train, 
Admiral Grave arrives. The boisterous ntaiu 
With hngo billows rolling in a furious storm, 
Salutes his lordship in a warlike form. 
New- York receives her royal visitant. 
With orders new from George and P.irliaraent, 
Fraught deep with threats and sealed with clotted blood. 
While red coat castles rido upon the flood. 

November first beholds this warlike sage 
Prepared and ready Neptune to engage ; 
Sailed forth in all the pomp of naval p:-ide, 
And the old Emperor of the sea defied. 
Anticipation placed before his e';es 
Count D'Estaing as a royal prize • 
In eager gaze with teles<:ope and glass 
lie spent his time ar\<i let !iis moments pass. 
When all was fap^ied phantoms and success, 
When victory' <} charms possessed the admiral's brov^st, 
51 



402 AN AMERICAN FIELD OP MAIta. 

The darkened clouds in subtle columns roll, 
And spread the horizon from pole to pole j 
Old Neptune's trident pointed to the skies, 
And Euroclydon began to rise , 
Huge billows mount the lofty stage of time, 
And ocean rolls its billows all sublime. 
This mighty fleet, on ocean's dark amaze 
Scattered, dispersed, amidst tumultuous waves, . 
Wrecked, shattered, tossed to and fro 
Around the coast and on the deep profound. 
The Sonimcrset destroyed — a sixty-four — 
And on Cape Cod her fragments drove ashore. 
The rest for shelter seek Rhode-Island strand, 
And from the fury of the tempest land. 

Col. William Butler to revenge the wrong, 
On Susquehannah, by the savage throng: 
Whose unrelenting hearts and savage rage, 
Blackens the history of tlie present age. 
Back on the ioe, brave Butler soon repays 
Tlie balance due, their wigwams in a blaze , 
Their villages and towns destroyed in turn, 
Their ruined country is a sight forlorn. 
Retaliation roused these sons of fury, 
hidian resentment, and the hostile tory. 
Jolm Butler, with his savage band of prey, , 
Intent on caraage, in their dreadful way; 
Issued like wolves, all hungry to devour, 
From their wild haunts, at midnight's silent lionr 

Massacre at Cherry- Valley. 

Whon silence reigned and spread the dark profound. 
And Cynthia shed her milder influence round ; 
The twinJding stars shone in their radiant spheres. 
Pity stood weeping, bathed in blood and tears. 
A scene too awful, soon to be disclosed 
By demagogues, advancing on repose ; 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 403 ^ 

Slumber had sealed the watchful parents eyr 
Their little children round a-sleeping lie. 
Thy flames, ah! Cherry- Valley, soon must rise, 
And bear to heaven the hwrid yells and cries 
Of murdered infants, and their parents dear: 
A sound so horrid, stuns the listening ear. 
Aghast in silence, stood advancing time. 
And dreads the tragic nature of the crime. 

Col. Alden numbered witli the dead, 
And sixty more of all descriptions bled ; 
Parents and children, brothers, sisters, dear, . 
Shared one common fate, and perished here. 
Nor did their rage stop with the vital breath, 
Savage brutality, reigned after death ; 
Oppression's arm veiled in the dusky sliade. 
Fit covert for the wolves and thieves to hide : 
All hungry to devour, scenting their prey — 
Rush by surprise, the harmless victim slay ; 
While with the tiger's heart and lion's mien, 
Wanton in murder, and destruction's scene; 
Regardless of the cry oi innocence, 
Into the bosom, plunge the shiu.ing lance. 

The north more quiet, saw the vulture stilly 
A hovering round and fluttering o'er the hill; . 
Intent on mischief takes a southern flight, 
And in his tallons bear the tyrant s right. 
Armed still with threats. Mars stalks the field of war, , 
Death his attendant, drives his furious car- 
Oppression follows with a \'ast supply. 
The gieat demands of each to satisfy. 

Surrender of Savannah. . 

November twenty-seventh from Sandy- Hook^ 
Thp. British lion to the ocean took ; 
Keptune's huge waves, groaned under the vast load. 
liid Ihus complained in murm^urs to their God 



404 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

Ah, Emperor ! shall these ruthless sons of war 
Invade thy realm, and thou not interfere ? 
How Ions: shall human nature ^roan and sigh, 
And thou not hear the pitious cry 7 
Lamenting rolls of carnage rise to heaven, *■ 
And thou lie slumbering Ironi thy empire driven ; 
Let thy proud waves revenge the widow's cause, 
And raise thy potent arm in martial laws ; 
Rid, rid the world, of war's disgraceful throng, 
And send them headlong to their future home. 
Restore to thy vast empire, ancient peace, 
Let nature reign, and all contention cease. 

Thus plead the waves, the sage profound arose, 
And then addressed the sea-nymphs and disclosed 
The secrets of his breast, and thus relates 
How he lor orders from Jehovah waits. 
His anxious wish is to restore to peace. 
That war, and all contentions with it cease; 
But fate has bound the empire by decree, 
And I'll submit tn will of Deity. 
Southward, the British foe with martial pride, 
Slowly advancing, triumphant on the tide; 
While Col. Campbell lays his future plans, 
And sails along Columbia's pleasant strands, ; 

With five and twenty hundred knights in death's employ, 
Like Milton's Satan, roving, seeking to destroy ; 
Their destination and their plans intended, 
In mistery, doubt, and secrecy are blended. 

Late in the month of winter's cold December. 
The fleet arrives, and rides before Savannah — 
A he army lands, success attends their arms, 
While war's harsh features, thunders with alarms; 
General R. Howe, collecting all liis force, 
Chose a position, to defend this post, 
Though much inferior to the enemy, 
He waits the event, the test for victory. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 

Fjo-ht hundred men, worn down in war's reverse, 
Was soon out-general ed, routed and dispersed ; 
The town, the fort, and all the warlike stores, 
Surrendered to the conqueror's martial powers ; 
Shippi*!!, provisions, and to terms dictated, 
By British incrcv with oppression freighted. 
All, surrender to the conqueruig foe, 
Intent on carnage, and its overthrow. 
Wanton murder crowned the bloody scene, 
And British conduct marked the savage mien. 

Savannah's streets, stained with human blood, 
Calls loud for vengeance on the throne of God; 
No cries for mercy, readied the Briton's ear. 
They thro' the suppliants plunge the hateful spear; 
Sees wreathiuii' agony beneath his hand. 
Weltering iu blond, covered with dust and sand. 

Gener;il Lincoln, whose renown on fame, 
For martial skill, on Saratoga's j)lain — 
America called on her son for aid, 
Who instantly her kind request obeyed ; 
He to the south is ordered to command, 
Columbia's heroes and her yankce band. 
Alas! can man his reason coimteract, 
And nature's laws and nature's rights attack. 
When conscience tells him he is doing wrongs 
And all his searching is a Syren song. 
See Britain's sons, born iu a land of fame, 
Renowned on ancient and on modern name, 
Enrth's boast lor greatness, wisdom and renown, 
The world's chief mart, the muses royal crown. 
See them, like ravenous wolves by hunger driven, 
Engaged by tyrants to tight the laws of heaven ; 
Deaf to humanity, and all the ties 
That reason, sense and mercy harmonize. 
Hazard their lives to oppress and bind in chains, 
Their own relations, on the sanguine plains. 



406^ 



40(> AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

The south awakes at tlie cannon's roar, 
Arouse to arms, and from the mountains pour; 
Georgia, the mustcrino: point, wliere rag-e and force, 
Demanding life, impatient in its course, a 

Oppression's wrathful power and liberty, ' 

With brazen front advance — hostility- 
Stalks iorth with ghastly jaws, intent on d. 
A monster huge and terrible to earth. 

General Prescot of the royal line, 
Lands on Port Royal Isle, South Caroline, 
Possession takes, while General Moultrio 
Soon meets liis host, and scourged his flying reajr. 
"^fhe thundering cannon poured destruction round, 
¥ollies of death, and shook the solid ground ; 
The thirsty soil, drank many a soldier's blood, 
Death thinned his ranks and chased him o'er the flood ; • 
To Georgia steers, Augusta his next stand. 
There spreads dissension amongst the tory band. 
Ferment division on weak credulity. 
And binds by promise, fatal destiny. 
The ignorant and fearful lead astray, 
And insurrection ends the bloody fray. 
While thns engaged in proffers not his own, 
His future views and plans are overthrown. 
Thy sons America, from ninety-six, 
Salute the wariior and his boundaries fix ; 
Proscribed, they punish, and his band disperse 
As higitives, and vagabonds of earth. 
Their Colonel slain, dispersed the bandit flies, 
•Wlulc treason meets the vengeance of the skies. 
Seventy were tried as traitors to the cause 
Of liberty — and freedom's equal laws ; 
Five were condemned, to execution led. 
And suflered death to crown the crime witii dread ; 
The rest were pardoned — mercy interfered, 
(yolumbia's sons, her intercession heard ; 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 407 

Extend with willing hand humanity, 
The beauteous hand-maid of the Deity. 

Brave Lincohi, under Heaven's all ruling power, 
Tlie strength of armies, in a trying hour ; 
Determined to dislodge the British foe. 
And drive from Georgia, to the shades below, 
The invaders of emancipated rights, 
Who, for oppression, with the tyrant fights ; 
Sends General Williamson to reconnoiter, 
And near Augusta to secure a height, 
By nature strong, and strengthened still by art. 
To watch th-^i enemy on the alert ; 
"While General Ash, to aid and guard tlie plan, 
And an armed force of near two thousand men. 
But (ortune frowned, while Mars awoke in flames, 
Prevost advanced and furious charged their Lines; 
The cannon, musket, vv^ith a shower of balls, 
Strcw'd carnage round, and shook the ethereal halls) 
Whil(! war's grim monarch frowned, our army fled, 
Lett on the field the wounded and the dead ; 
Above three hundred' killed and captured, 
Decides the day, and Georgia's power surrendered. 
On Georgia's towers the conqueror's banner waves, 
Tlio cause of freedom bows to British slaves ; 
War's dire calamity spread o'er the state, 
Aaxicly suspended on its fate. 
Brave. Lincoln calmly viewed die gathering storm 
Sees the clouds lowering in a frightful form ; 
ije concentrates iiis army for the event, 
And trusts in God, who with his army went ; 
While reinforcemeRt cheers his anxious mind. 
And all his views are blessings to mankind, 
liincoln's advance, the royal army saw, 
Evades attack, the further him to draw 
luto the country, and by artifice 
Attack Moultrie and drive him from the place. 



408 AN AMERICAN FIELD OP MARS, 

Bill Lincoln saw what Prescolt had dcsiofned. 
And by forced marches and an act've mind, 
Sees Charleston threatened — to her ''d he fiies^ 
While on the God of armies he relics. 
The Governor, ilarmcd, expresses send — * 

To arms ! to arniii ! thesuni! on calls — attend. 

Charleston's suburbs are soon in ruins laid — 
liCvelcd to ashes — dispositioa 's made, 
Bulwarks and ramparts to defend the town 
Against the mandates of the British crown. 
Gen. Prescott and his royal band, 
To prosecute his master's great command, 
Advances to the siege — the ferry crossed, 
Appeared before the town and on the coast, 
The very day our bold and generous friend, 
Pulaski, arrives^ and. takes the chiof com-rand', 

Prescott, all ea£!;er to obtain the prize 
Before brave Lincoln and his troops arrive, 
Erects his power to crusli the valliant foe. 
And deal destruction to hisovortlirow ; 
But fortune looked, and cast on liim a frown 
histead of laurels and the conqueror's crowr^. 
Lincoln arrives — the hungry wolves retreat^. 
In flight seek safety, e'er the danger meet ; 
lletreat to Georgia. Devastation marked 
The road where human savages embarked. 

Sir Henry Clinton sends another gang, 
More hungry than the first, to rob and hang — 
The Yankee lives and plunder all their own, 
Is despot's language from the throne. 
Sir George Collier and General Matthews bear 
The royal standard— it floats in dusky air. 
High o'er their heads the ramj)ant lion paws^ 
And shows his horrid tusks and bloody jaws. 
Mercy i.s banished from the royal heart, 
And Albion's sons act well the tiger's part. 
To Plymouth, in Virginia, they advance, 



RKVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 409' 

Possession take, and cast a fiery glance 

()u the remains of Norfolk, and elate 

With past success, on Siilfolk vent their hate — 

Provisions, naval stores, and vessels burnt — 

The robber's trade these royal rovers learned. 

( The town in rolling flames ascend on high, 

' While helpless innocence for mercy cry. 

\ Aboutthis time Sir Hciny formed his plan 

' To execute his master's great conmiand ; 

j Success attend-;— Verpl;uik and Stony Point' 

/ Surrender to these royal liearted saints. 

l^e infamous Try on sails up the Sound, with a British Fleet 
under his command ; destroys East and West Haven, and 
commits the most unheard of depredations along the coast. 

Sir Henry Clinton sends his master's son, 
A worthless monster, Governor Tryon. 
Two thonsa-id soldiers, Britain's royal sons, 
Sail with this hero. Mars before him runs ; 
While desolation follows in his rear, 
And scent of carnage round his flaniis appear. 
Sir George Collier with tiie royal fleet, 
And General Garih support unhallowed feet, 
Assists the tiger, famous for his rage, 
Vice's usurper of the present ago. 
These three great captains, sons of Mars and hell, 
C/ombined in conquest, quit the fiery cell ; 
Sailed from l\cw York, corainis;:.ioned to destroy, 
And every artifice of war employ. 
C/onnecticut was destined to (eel the power 
Of these famed tyrants in their dying hour. 

.Tuly fourth, this armament, arrayed 
With death and horror from the Stygian shade, 
Enters the Sound, whose murmuring waves retire. 
Roll back with dread and on the deep expire. 
52 



410 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

Oppression's mandate sails before the fleet, 
Proclaims a pardon from the mercy-seat, 
To all who would rctuT-n, and bow the knee 
To kings, and dukes, and lords of royalty. 

The 6th day's morn had scarce unbared her light 
And from the sky drove oft the shades of night, 
When from the Sound the rattling din of war 
Came rolling on — a sable mantled car. 
Old Vulcan's thunder rolled the dusky blue. 
And sulphurous flame on its black verges flew. 
Night but retired to show a dismal day ; 
Confusion reigned, and all that 's seen— dismay ; 
Death and destruction martialed all their force. 
And terror rode as general of the horse. 
While from the hostile fleet all boats are manned, 
And o'er the surges waft their crews to land ; 
The shore displayed the scarlet coated gang. 
While war's harsh trumpet o'er the country rang. 
Old Tryon, that infamous demagogue. 
More fit to serve the Devil than his God, 
Lands with his army, bred in murder's school — 
Fit body to fit head — an arrant fool. 

Eost-Tlaven soon receives her hateful guest, 
While Gen. Garth lands on an Haven West ; 
Each one proceeds direct in search of prey 
Unto New-Haven, where the booty lay ; 
Enter the town like locusts, mad with rafre, 
Regarding neither sex, condition, ajje ; 
Give up the t.iwn to plunder and insult. 
Promiscuous pillage, and to war's tumult. 

The seventh morn awoke. Old Tryon saw- 
Breakfast preparing for his hungry maw — 
Yankees a-gathering to the grand salute, 
That can't the genius of a coward suit. 
Awake to danger every robber flies — 
A shadow fills a tyrant with surprise. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 411 

So George's servants to East-Haven sailed ; 
Plunder the town, and freedom's rights assail. 
From thence to Fairfield, where with wanton rage 
They write their name on history's smoky page. 
Amidst the flames let all their name be burnt, 
And on oblivion's scrawl remain unlearnt. 

Norwich next Ml a sacrifice to shame, 
Wrapt in destruction, in a general flame; 
And smoke in cohimns roll to Jehovah's courts — 
There her destroyer and his crimes reports. 

Four houses dedicated unto God, 
One hundred private dwellings felt the rod, 
Fiighty barns consigned to ashes and to flame, 
And thirty stores, swell, swell the list on fame, 
While seventeen shops record the fatal day, 
Four mills destroyed their fury to allay, 
Five vessels burnt, whose flames ascended high, 
As transports freighted to the azure sky — 
All their rapacious hands found to destroy, 
Shared in one fate to heighten savage joy. 

Gen. Wayne takes Stony Point. 

Brave Washington, whose vigilance surveys 
The field of war in all its dark amaze, 
Concerts and plans a secret enterprise, 
To check Sir Henry and his guards surprise. 
On Stony Point, where Hudson's murmuring waves 
Roil gently round, in circling eddies play. 
Held in possession by the British foe, 
A fortress strong o'erlooks the deep below. 

Gen. Wayne, a soldier brave and bold, 
Yfas sent to compliment with lead for gold 
This British post, and check their fierce career 
Who hung so heavy on our feeble rear. 
O'er mountains, through defiles, and crooked ways, 



^^2 AN AMERICAN FIPLD OF MARS. 

He led his men till night had veiled the skies ; 
Surmounting every danger on the road, 
TjU he arrived near where the fortress stood. 
Night's dusky shade had cast her sable hue 
O'er heaven's broad azure and her star-lit ijhie ; 
Saturday hashed in slumbers soft repose, 
Forgetful that man could with man be foes. 

At twenty minutes past the hour of twelve, 
July sixteenth, the awakening tumult swells, 
Mars, stern destroyer, lights the torch of war, 
And his discordant music fills the air. 
Under a sliower of grape and musket shot 
Brave Wayne advances to the fatal spot, 
Where slaugliter must decide the eventful fray, 
E'er morn advanced the chariot of the day. 
The thundering cannons all tremendous roar 
Rolled o'er the Hudson, echoed on the shore, 
While vivid lightnings of sulphurous flame 
Stream from their mouths o'er the adjacent shore. 
Success attends tiis general in advance. 
Our troops surmount the walls with swords and iaoee; 
In two divisions o'er the ramparts press, 
Amidst a blaze of fire and wars address. 
Where Wayne advanced the god of battle smiled, 
And with success he crowned his favorite child. 
Lieutenant Col. Floury mounts the walls 
With one division, through a sliowcr of balls, 
And to the center cuts a bloody road, 
And sends many a victim bleeding home to God. 

Without the firin^of asiui^le ffun 
Wayne stormed this fortress and the victory won ; - 
The fort destroyed, Wayne and his armament 
Retire, and land upon West Point. 

itlen. iSullivan''s Expedition against the Indiaius 
The British, all forgetful of their name, 



REVOLUTIONx\RY SCENES. 413 

The title mother, and the brother's claim, 
By promises and proffered 2^old persuade 
The savage Indians to their bloody trade. 

Bold Sullivan advanced — the Indians fly ; 
Destruction followed, and their haunts descry. 
•Confusion seized their warriors, and dismay 
Rode tiirou.'2:h their towns and met them day by day. 
Horror's whole form, glows in his painted lace, 
His village flames, and slaughtered is his race ; 
His wife and children, and his all are gone, 
And he, a fugitive without a home. 

Deception often leads the ignorant 
By proflers full, that fail in the event. 
Thus the poor Indian, too late, too late did find 
Flattery, deceit — deceiving most mankind. 
His corn, his home, provisions, all destroyed, 
For what? Because delusive scenes employed 
The tongue of flattery. Senses oft deceive 
With something great, that fame wants power to give- 



The brilliant achievement of Paid Jones, commander of a 
small sqadron which sailed from L'Orient, in France, on a 
cruise against the British. It consisted of the ship Bon 
Homme Richard, of 40 guns, and 375 men, accompanied by 
the frigates Alliance of 38 guns, Pallas of 32, the Vengeance 
an armed brig of 12 guns, and a cutter ; and sailed in the . 
month of July, 1779. On the 23d of September, a naval en- 
• gageraent occurred between the squadron commanded by 
Com. Paul Jones, and a British convey of the Baltic fleet of 
merchantmen, comm.anded by Gapts. Pierson and Piercy. 

We now shall change the scene, to take a view 
Of ocean's empire. War's harsh scenes renew. 
Paul Jones, a seaman, gallant, bold, and brave, 
Bailed from L'Orient, France, o'er the proud wave. 



411 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARg. 

France furnished five armed ships and men complete. 

While Jones as commedore commands the fleet. 

To sea, in quest of prey, this little fleet 

Sailed in July the British for to meet. 

Ofl" Scotland's shore these sons of Neptune brave. 

Met Mars advancino- o'er a watery grave. 

The Baltic fleet to England bound, convoyed 

By two stout ships that Albion's King employed — 

The Countess Scarborough and Sarapas 

Covered the convoy, and with war's address 

Prepared for action_ while their captains bold 

Advanced slowly to the scene untold. 

Death stands aloof, and with the optic flame, 
Starts with the flash in quest of blood and game ; 
Smoke, belching from the cannon, rolls on high, 
While echo swells the tumult of the sky. 
The Bon Homme Richard and the Sarapas, 
Side by side commence the deadly tierce ; 
Long and obdurate fought — the balance lay — 
Hurling destruction with a ten-fold sway. 
A dread destruction, for two hours and more, 
Amidst the din of arms and cannon's roar, 
Cover their decks with carnage, blood, and fire. . 

The Alliance, to assist the Richard, bore 
Down amidst a flame of fire, andcaimons' roar, 
With some success, till darkness veiled the skies, . 
When nought was seen but flames ascending rise. 
Then by mistake she poured a full broadside 
into her consort, trembling on the tide ; 
Killed dead eleven, and wounded many more — 
Lamenting tragedy, stained deep with gore ! 
In this dread moment, when all was in suspense, 
Death hovering round and o'er the ocean glanced. . 
The Sarapas, to close the great contest. 
Struck to Paul Jones, the hfero of the west. 
Thus closed the action, bloody iu extreme, 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 415 

A dear bought victory closed the blpody scene. 
The Bon Homme Richard so complete a wreck, ' 
Seven feet of water under her main deck ; 
To save her all exertions were in vain ; 
The wounded tars removed, the rolling main 
Soon swallowed up the conqueror's last remains — 
Thus ends all conquest, and what conquest gains. 
The Countess Scarborough to the Pallas strikes — 
Thus ends the contest where stubborn valor fights. 
The commodore, flushed with his victory, 
Sailed with his prize o'er the surrounding sea; 
Anchored off Holland's shore, near Taxes Bay, 
With colors flying — France, America. 

We now shall leave the hero v/ith his prize, 
On Europe's sea, his plans to realize ; 
Resume war's history in America, 
Where Mars rides general both by land and sea — 
Exulting iu his martial scenes of pride, 
While deep M'ith blood his savage hands were dyed. 

The southern states are doomed to feel the rage 
Of hostile bands, in death's employ engaged. 



Count D-Estaing invited hy Gen. Lincoln and the French 
Consjd, to co-operate ivith the Americans in reducing 
Sava7mah, the capital of Georgia — ivhich invitation he 
accepts. 

D'Estaino;'s victory o-er the West-India fleet 
Aroused his martial fame the foe to meet, 
And with America co-operate 
In the deliverance of a sister state. 
All things prepared, D'Estaing soon arrives, 
The siege to manage and to gain the prize. 
At Charleston were four British ships of war 
Surprised — they surrender to the conqueror's power* 



'tl^ AN AMERICAN FIELD OP MARS. 

Gen. Lincoln for the event prepares. 
And for Savannah m?.rched, and soon appears 
Before the town. The fleet also arrives, 
While victory danced before the warrior's eyes. 
The French troops land, prepare for an attack, 
While expectation drove deserters back ; 
Anticipated hopes reduced the town, 
And fancy wore the laurels of renown. 
D'Estaing summoned in his master's name. 
The town, to a surrender of the claim 
Great Britain held, by war's all potent arm, 
The stren<!;th of tyrants, cannon and alarm. 
General Prescoit, of the Count demands. 
Twenty- four hours, to consider on the plans 
Of a surrender, to which the Count agrees, 
While the French fleet floats on surrounding seas ; 
Meantime eigiit hundred British troops arrive, 
This ends the parley to the test of li\es ; 
Prescott determined to defend the town, 
And face the storm, with ail its horrid frown. 
D'Estaing saw his error, but too late. 
The event of battles must decide its fate; 
Parley being ended, nature all aghasf, 
Hushed in suspense, await the awful blast ; 
The thunderbolt of war's tremendous power, 
Lay silent, slumbering on each brazen tower. 
The land, the sea, display the scenes of Mars, 
The din of arms, and trumps discordant jars, 
Thousands parading for the bloody fray, 
While death stands ready to decide the day. 
America and France concert their plans, 

Mars urges forward the exulting vans ; 

Time waits the hour, while fame sits perched on high. 

Where Jove commands the armies of the sky. 

Pallas descends, while Juno takes her shield, 

And drives her chariot to the bloody field, 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 41 

Where thousands stand, that e'er the victory 's gained 
Must roll in blood, with arms and helmet stained; 
The hour arrives, the awful silence breaks, 
September twenty-third commences dates. 
Death starts inflame, while Vulcan's thunders roll, 
'Through the blue vault, to the affrighted pole. 
'The allies push the siege, the cannon's roar, 
Vollies of flame spread round the distant shore ; 
' They approach the town in formal warlike style, 
'Convulsing nature, and plough up the soil ; 
^Vhiledeep despondency hung o'er the town, 
And the hoarse trumpet swells the solemn sound. 

October fourth, all things prepared for play, 
The batteries open with the blaze of day ; 
Tremendous vollies shake the vaults of heaven, 
"While lead and iron o'er the field are driven. 
For four days^ these engines on the town 
Incessant flamed, and hurled their balls around, 
While ether trembled o'er the soldier's head, 
Balls, rockets, bumb-shells, fill the air with dread ; 
But they make no impression on the town, 
Where British valor fought for Georije's crown. ' 

Prescott a gallnnt chief defends the lines, 
And sallies forth — but the result he finds 
Disastrous * back to his works retreat. 
To face the danger that attends defeat. 
Hei requests the women and childrenmight retire, 
Beyond the frowns of war's tremendous ire, 
But for reasons best known to the ally, 
Refusal was the answer in reply. 
The terror thickening with the rage of war, 
New prospects forming, nature's temples jar ; 
Death and destruction meditates a blow 
That soon must tell a fatal overthrow. 
All plans being ready for a grand attack^ ^"' 
53 



418 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MAR3. 

A general assault on all the lines exact ; 

To orders preconcerted, planned and named ; 

The time arrived and on the ramparts flamed. 

The morning of the ninth announced the day 

Designed for slaughter and a bloody fray ; 

The armies all in motion each other to salute, 

And with the sword and lance their countries claim dispute, 

Scarce had Aurora sent a glance of li^lit, 

O'er nature's field, through the dai'k shade of night, 

When Mojs awoke, and called his men to arms, 

And through the air, sent rolling, war's alarms. 

The allies rally at the trumpet's sound, 

Rush like a torrent, spreading o'er the ground ; 

Through twilight's shade, pressing to the assault. 

Amidst tremendous fire. The flaming vault 

Shone on the advance tliat to the ramparts press. 

While havoc met them with a stern address. 

Blood, death, and slaughter, met the advancing van, 

Whoe'er the dead, to mount the ramparts ran; 

Ourage surmounts tl.ie obstacles of war. 

And plants the signal flag of victory there. 

Heroic ardor mounts the rage of storm, 

France and America each bosom warm — 

While from the foe a most destructive fire 

•Mowed down their ranks, compelled them to retiiq.f. 

The brave Pulaski, charging on the foe 

In full career of victory, met the blow 

Decisive of his life, a mortal wound, 

That brought the fainting hero to the ground. 

Thus ends his life while fame alive shall live, 

Transfers his name, immortal honors give. 

Thus ends a contest, sharp and sorely fought, 
For ;iear one hour, midst balls and showers of shot. 
This deadly scene raged with relentless sway. 
And swept tharaaks, and bravest men away. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES.- 419 

Covered with dead, with muskets, sword-and shield ; 

The alHes retreat and leave the mournful iicld — 

The fragments of destruction's horrid car, 

That strewed the ground with implements of war. 

The allied powers, a heavy loss sustained, 

While IMtain's lung his conquered riglits manitained. 

Pulaski's death America must mourn ; 
He bravely fell in battle's deadly storm; 
Facing the foe he sold his useful life ; 
Lamented, dies amidst the rage of strife, 
A friend in need, he shunned not war's alarms, 
Vv here duty calls he ready flew to arms, 
Nor danger shunned, but in advance we find 
ThisfneM of nature and oppressed mankind. > •- 
Long may his name, revered on history's page, 
The poet's pen and muse's theme engage ; 
And while posterity shall prosperous rise 
In our republic, to a nation v/ise, 
May those who fought, and bled, and died to gain 
Our dear bought rights, in memory long remain 
Kevered as freedom's martyrs, and each tongue 
Sings to their children's children in a song. 
Their trials, perseverence,and their fame, 
"While ages yet unborn, record their name 
Oil leaves more durable than solid brass, 
Keflecting greatness on the scene that 's past. 

Congress, to honor Poland's worthy son, 
And shew respect for what his valor won ; 
Passed adecree, to er;ict a monument 
Commemorative of the sad event. 

Count D'Estnmg soon sailed out to sea, . 
And leaves Savanna]:, to her de-stmy. 
New-York is now Sn* Clinton's rendezvous/ 
Where fame from (owers sends forth her warlike news:; 
Sir Hem'.yj fearfuLof a French saliile, 



^'-iO AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

Prepares the right of suffrage to dispute ; 
Called General Pigot, bade him evacuate 
Rhode-Island, and his troops to concentrate ; 
Marcli to New-York and join his martial band- 
Pjgot obeyed his order and command. 



«w- 



CAMPAIGN OF 1780, 



The troops were hutted for the winter. The departure of the 
French fleet, after the disaster of Savannah, spread a gloom over 
the southern states. Sir Henry Chnton turned his attention to 
that quarter for the winter of 1780. And Gen. Lincohi, appre- 
hensive of danger, made every exertion in his power to meet the 
foe — by repairing and erecting fortifications of defence. De- 
pending on promises, he made every arrangement for a siege. 
In the meantime Admiral Arbuthnot arrived with the British 
fleet, at Savannah, with Sir Henry in person. About the middle 
of February he put to sea, and entered the harbor of North 
Edisto, about thirty miles from Charleston, and blockaded the 
harbor. 

In the meantime Lincoln received some reinforcements, and 
Sir Henry sent to New- York for additional force. Too weak to 
hazard much, Lincoln confined his views wholly to defence - 
and while the enemy were advancing, he was vigilant to close 
every avenue that letl to the city. A sand bar, south of the 
town was supposed impassible for a ship of the line, and con- 
sequently no provision was made for its defence. With fort 
Moultrie and what shipping was in the port, Lincoln hoped to 
defend the harbor. 

The British shipping lay waiting a favorable opportunity to 
cross the bar. The wind and tide at length favored them, and 
they passed the bar with a 64 gun ship, which gave them pos- 
session of the harbor. 

It seemed that the critical moment had now arrived to evacu- 



422 AN AMEniCAN FIELD OF WARS. 

ate the town. But relying on promised succor, Liiiceln deter- 
mined to defend it to the last extremity. 



Siege of Charleston, South-Carolina. 

Sir Henry Clinton had now reached Ashley river. He was 
in perfect possessieii of tlie various inlets and water communi- 
cations south of the town, which he completely commanded, 
as well by his batteries as by his gallies which had been intro 
duced into them. The van of his army crossed Ashley river 
in tliree divisions a mile above the town. Having: brought 
over his artillery and military stores, ,he moved down the neck. 
and on the night of the first of April, br9ke ground withirv 
eight' hundred yards of the American lines. 

The defences of Charleston had been constructed under the 
direction of^ Mr. Laumoy, a French gentleman of reputation in 
the American service; and, although not calculated to resist a 
reguhir siege, were by no means contemptible. 

Tl}£y. consisted of a chain of redoubts, lines, and batteries. 
(Wteiiding froiTji one river to the other. In the front of each 
dank, the works were covered by swamps, originating from the 
opposite rivers, and tending towards the centre, flirougli which 
they w;ere cpnnected by a canal passing froi^i one to the other. 
Between these outward impediments and the works, were two 
■strou<i rows of abattis, the trees beincr buried slanting: in the 
earth, SO , diat '^their heacjs facing outwards, formed a kind ot 
fraizcd work against the assailants ; and these were further se- 
cured by ii ditch double picketed. 

Wiiilc the besiegers were yet employed on th^ir first parallel, 
tlie garrison received a considerable reinforcement. Cen. 
Woodford entered the town with the old continental troops ol 
the Virginia line, now reduced to about seven hundred effect- 
ives. Gen. Hogan with the North-Carolina line had arrired 
before him. The whole garrison consisted of somewhat more 
than two thousand regular troops, of about one thousand North 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENEt. 428 

Carolina militia, and of the citizens of CharlestOx In pursu- 
ance of the powers vested in the governor by the legislature, he 
had issued a proclamation ordering all those who were draught 
ed for the service, and all those who resided, or held property 
in the city, to repair immediately to its defence, under penalty 
of confiscation. This severe measure did not produce the ben- 
efit expected from it. Not more than two hundred of the coun- 
try militia could be brought into the town. 

By the ninth of April Sir Henry Clinton completed his tirst 
parallel, extending across the neck, and mounted his guns ir. 
battery. About the same time, a favorable occasion havrnf' 
presented itself, Admiral Arbuthnot passed Sullivan Island un- 
der a heavy and well directed fire from fort Moultrie, then com- 
manded by Col. Pinckney ; and in about two hours, with the 
loss of only twenty-seven seamen killed and wounded, anchor- 
ed under James' Island, near fort Johnson, just out of reach of 
the batteries of the town. 

Being now in complete possession of the harbor, and ha:/inc^ 
stationed vessels off the different inlets, the British command- 
ers by sea and land sent a joint summons to Gen. Lincoln, de- 
manding the surrender of the town. To this summons Lmcoin 
returned a firm and modest answer. "Sixty days (said he) have 
passed since it was known that your intentions against this 
town were hostile, in which, time has been afforded to abanri(ui 
it, but duty and inclination point to the propriety of supportinp- 
it to the last extremity." 

On receiving this answer, the besiegers opened their batterws, 
but seemed to place their principal reliance on proceeding hv 
sap quite into the American lines. 

Hitherto, Sir Henry Clinton had not extended his lines north 
of Charleston Neck, and the communication of the garrison 
with the country on the northeast side of Cooper river had re- 
mained perfectly- open. The American cavalry, under the com- 
mand of Gen. Huger, had passed that river, and was stationed 
in the neighborhood of Monk's corner, about thirty m.iles above 
Charleston. The duty assigned them was to keep open that 



1:^4 AN AMERICAN FIELD OP MARS. 

IKUtol the country, to restrain the British foraging parties, and 
to cover supphes coming in to the rehef of the town. 

This objecL was deemed so all important that after Gen. Wood- 
j'ord Juid entered the town, Lincoln made a detachment front 
liis regular troops, to throw U]) some works on Wando, the east- 
ern hrnnch of Cooper, about Jiine miles above the town, and on 
l.tuuprieres point. Altho;;gh it was found impracticable to 
brint; the militia into Charleston, it was expected that they 
might be prevailed upon to assemble at these posts, the main- 
taining of which was so essential to a communication with the 
cauntry. 

Alter the fleet had entered the harbor, and thereby rendered 
(umeoessary the chain of forts which had. been kept up before 
that event. Sir Henry turned his attention to the country on the 
cast side of Cooper, without the possession of which, ortho 
uilroduction of Ills vessels into the mouth of that river, the 
])lacc could not l)e completely invested, nor the retreat of the 
garrison entirely cut olf. To effect this object it was deemed 
necessary to disable the American cavalry, by a sudden and de- 
cisive blow. Lieut. Col. Webster was employed 'on tins service. 
IJefbre day on the morning of the fourteenth, he detached Tarl- 
ton with the horse aiid a corps of hifantry, to beat up the quar- 
tors- of the American cavalry at Monk's corner. 

Thj.s party is said to have been conducted by a negro slare, 
in the night, throu<jh secret and unfrequented" paths, until it 
icacliixl the American videttos who were stationed about a mile 
from their encampment. The alarm was then given, but Tarl- 
ton pressed on with such rapidity, that bearing down the shsfht 
resistance which could be made by the advanced guard, he 
br(»ke in upon the Americans: and although their horses Avere 
ready bridled and saddled, he commenced the attack on the main 
body before they could mount, and place themselves in a posi- 
tion to make resistance. 

About thirty of the cavalry were killed or taken, and the res- 
ulno eiUirely dispersed, Tliey saved themselves in a swamj>-. 
and several days intervened before thev could be reassembled. 



REVOLUTIONAR-Y SCENES. 425- 

This decisive blow opened the whole country between Coop- 
■er and Waiido. 

The second parallel was now commenced, and it became 
every day more apparent that the tov/n must ultimately yield 
to the regular approaches which Sir Henry presisted to make. • 
An evacuation was proposed, and the opinion of Lincoln seems 
to have been in favor of that measure ; but the remonstrances 
of the principal inhabitants deterred him from adopting the only 
course which afforded even a probability, by saving his army, of 
saving the southern states. 

Soon after the affair of Monk's corner, a reinforcement of 
about three thousand men was received from New- York. This 
addition to his sti'ength enabled Sir Henry Clinton to detach 
largely to the aid of Col. Webster, and the importance of the 
station induced Lord Cornwallis to take the command on that 
side of Cooper river. 

In consequence ot this change of situation, another council 
of war was called on the 20th. 

The council advised that a capitulation should be proposed, 
and that the place should be delivered up on condition that the 
garrison s]iouldbe at liberty still to bear arms, and. that the in- 
habitants should be secured in their persons and' property. 
These propositions were made, and without hesitation rejected:' 
upon which, hostilities were recommenced. 

The besiegers had commenced their third parallel, when CoL 
Henderson made a vigorous sally on their right, which was at- 
tended with some success. 

Gen. dii Portail who had been directed to join the southern 
army, and to assist m the defence of Charleston, was conducted 
by secret ways into the town. He at once perceived the im- 
possibility of defending the place, and repeated the. proposition 
for attempting a retreat. 

Every day diminished this hope and added to the difficulties 
of the besieged. The Admiral armed some vessels taken by 
Cornwallis on the Wando ; and' with a body of five hundred! 
sailors and marines took possession of Mount Pleasant. 
54 



426 AN AMERICAS FIELD OT MARS. 

From Mount Pleasant, an immediate communication was 
opened with Sullivan's ishtnd, audit was perceived that the 
works on the west and north-west side of fort Moultrie were un- 
finished, and might be forced without much danger. The ad- 
miral made dispositions for carrying it by storm, under cover of 
the fire from the ships. On the 7'th May every thing being in 
readiness for the assault, the lort was summonod, and the garri- 
son amounting to about two hundred men, surrendered them- 
selves prisoners of war. 

After lord Cornwallis had passed Cooper river, the American 
Cavalry lound it necessary to interpose the Santee between 
them and his lordship. 

The investment of the town was. now complete. The gar- 
rison, fatigued and worn out with constant duty, was too weak, 
sufliciently to man the lines ; their guns were almost all dis- 
mounted ; most of the embrasures demolished ; their shot near- 
ly expended ; their pi^visions of bread and meat, with the ex- 
ception of a very few cows, entirely consumed ; and the ap- 
proaches of the "enemy so near, that their marksmen frequently 
picked off the men from the guns, and killed with certainty any 
person who showed himself ubove the lines. 

In this state of things, the garrison was summoned a second 
time to surrender ; on which a council was again called, which 
ngain advised a capitulation. In pursuance of this advice. Gen. 
Lincoln proposed terms which were not accepted ; upon which 
hostilities recommenced. 

Preparations for an assault by sea and land were making. 
With less than three thousand men, many of whom were mili- 
tia, lines, three miles in extent were to be defended against the 
flower of the British army, assisted by a powerful maritime 
force. 

Alarmed at their situation, and understanding that the differ- 

•ence between the two commanders respected principally the 

stipulations which related to themselves, the citizens prepared a 

petition to Gen. I<incoln, entreating liim to surrender the town on 

the terms which had been offered by the besiegers. Yielding to 



REVOLUTfONARY SCENES. 427 

the wishes of the citizens, supported by the civil authority, he 
^iddressed to the British general a letter offering to surrender the 
town on the terms Sir Henry Clinton had proposed. 

The desperate situation of the garrison did not induce the 
besiegers to exact more rigid conditions than they had originally 
•offered ; and on the 12th of May, the capitulation was signed. 

These terms being agreed on, the garrison laid down their 
arms; and Gen. Leslie was appointed by the commander-in- 
chief of the British forces, to take possession of the town. 

The defence of Cluirleston was obstinate, but not bloody. 
The besiegers conducted their approaches with great caution and 
always under cover ; while the besieged, being too weak to haz- 
ard tiie losses which would probably attend repeated sorties, 
kept generally within their lines. 

Gen. Lincoln states his whole force previous to the surrender 
at fifteen liuhdred regular troops, and five hundred militia. His 
presuming to defend the town under the circumstances that ex- 
isted, was censured by some, but fully justified by Congress and 
the commanilcr-in- chief. 

Sir Henry, fully aware of the advantage of following up the 
conquest, divided his army into three divisions, one of which he 
detached to the north of the San tee Towns; the second, into 
the heart of the state, on the south side of that river, and the 
third up the Savannah towards Lord Cornwallis, who com- 
' manded the northern division. 

Hearing that Col. Bedford, with four hundred men, lay not 
far distant, Cornv/allis detached Col. Tarlton with his cavalry 
against him ; v/ho, alter a rapid ride of one hundred and fifty 
miles in fifty-four hours, overtook Bedford on a march. A sur- 
render v/as demanded on the terms granted to the garrison at 
Charleston, which, being refused, Tarlton ordered a general 
massacre. The Americans, dismayed at such conduct, begged 
for quarters ; but this royal butcher cried, " Damn the rebels ! 
Kill them all." His orders were instantly obeyed. One hun- 
dred and thirteen were cut to pieces on tlie spot, and one hundred 



4*28 AN AMERICAN FIELD OP MARS. 

and fifty so mangled as to be unable to march. Col. Bedford 
and a few cavalry escaped to head-quarters. 

The other detachments found no opponents. The inhabitants 
submitted to royal authority. 

On the third of June iSir Henry Clinton issued a proclama- 
tion establishing the royal government ; and, on the fifth, sailed 
for New- York, leaving four thousand troops under the command 
of Lord Cornwallis. 

Cornwall is spread his troops through South-Carolina and the 
upper part of Georgia, in order to eflfect enlistments and collect 
military stores. Be also dispatched messengers to North-Caro- 
lina to encourage the royalists — eight hundred of whom, lead by 
Col. Brayon, joined' the royal standard. Cornwallis then left 
Lord Rawdon in command of the army, and proceeded; to 
Charleston for the purpose of reorganizing the civil government. 

In March, Gen. Washington detached a regiment of artillery, 
under command of Baron De Kalb, to reinforce the southern 
army. 

A small body of men who had been compelled, on the ascen- 
dency of British power in South-Carolina, to seek safety in North 
Carolina and Virgina, assembled and chose Col. Sumpter their 
leader. Their number speedily augmented to six hundred men. 
The militia, inlistcd under Cornwallis, deserted and joined their 
countrymen. The out-posts of-the British army were called in. 

On the 13th of June, Congress appointed Gen. Gates to the 
conuuand of the southern army. On the 25th of July he reach- 
ed the camp at Buffalo Ford. The army at this time consisted 
of between twelve and thirteen hundred Maryland and Dela- 
ware troops, one hundred cavalry, and three companies of artil- 
lery. Lieut. Col. Porterfield was also on the frontiers of South- 
Carolina with four hundred men. Gates determined to concen- 
trate all his force, and march direct to Camden. On the 27th 
July the army marched, and after a tedious journey, effected a 
junction with Gen. Cos\yell of North-Carolina, and Col. Porter- 
field', at Clermont^ 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 429 

Lord Rawdoii drew in his out-posts, and assembled all. his 
forces at Camden. 

Gen. Stephens joined Gen. Gates, with seven hundred Vir- 
ginia militia. Col. Sumpter also joined Gen. Gates. Gates now 
determined to take a station on a deep creek seven miles from 
Camden. The American force consisted of four thousand meni 

Gates liad advanced but half way, when he met the British 
army, six thousand strong, advanced to meet him, under Corn- 
wallis. The advance parties met in the woods, to their mutual 
surprise, at half past two, on the morning of the sixteenth of 
Augustj and immediately engaged each other. 

Battle of Camden. 

Some of the cavalry of Armand's legion being wounded by 
the first fire, threw the others into disorder, and the whole re- 
coiled so suddenly, that the line of the army was thrown into 
consternation. The light infantry, however, executed their 
orders. And the enemy being thus halted, the American army 
soon recovered its order. 

Frequent skirmishes ensued during ithe night, with scarcely 
any other eifect than to discover the situation of the armies. 

Immediately after the alarm, the American army was drawn 
up ni order. The army being arranged, the general officers 
were called together. The intelligence received from the pri- 
soners was communicated to them, and their opinions asked on 
the measures to be adopted. Gen. Stevens answered that " it 
was now too late to retreat." A silence of some minutes ensued; 
and Gen. Gates, who seems himself to have been disposed to try 
the chance of battle, understanding silence to be an approbation 
of the sentiments delivered by Stevens, broke up the council by 
saying, "then we must fight; gentlemen, please to take your 
posts." 

By this time the British line was formed. Gen. Gates order- 
ed Stevens to commence the attack; which he immediately 
obeyed. Stevens led on his brigade in good order. 



430 AN AMERICAN FIKLD OP MARS. 

On receiving orders Irom Cornwallis, the British infantry 
rushed forward with great impetuosity. The utmorit exertions 
of Gen. Stevens were of no avail. The intimidated miUtia 
threw down their amis, fled from the field with the utmost pre- 
cipitation, and were followed by the militia light infantry of 
Armstrong. Except one regiment commanded by Col. Dixon, 
an olel continental officer, who was posted nearest tRe continen- 
tal troops, the whole division followed the shameful example. 

Tarlton's legion charged thom as they broke, and pursued 
them in their flight. Gates, in person, assisted by their general 
oflicers, made several attempts' to rall^^ them at different places ; 
but the alarm in their rear still continuing, they poured on like 
-a torrent, and bore him with them. 

Entirely deserted by the militia who composed the whole 
centre aiid left wing of tlie army, the continental troops, with 

the Baron De Kalb at their head, were left without, orders, under 

■■■'■.. ■ ■ ' <'' ' ■.'■■■■ ■•'■'i'.^' '•V''' 

circumstances which might well justify a reti*eat. But takmg' 

counsel from their courage, and seeing only the path of duty, 
they preferred the honorable and dangerous part of maintaining 
their position. They were charged by Lord Rawdon ; but the 
charge was received with firmness, and the assailants experien- 
ced a check they had not expected. The bayonet was occasion- 
ally resorted to by both parties, and the conflict was maintained 
lor near three quarters of an hour with equal obstinacy. 

Tiie corps de reserve, having its flank entirely exposed, v%'as 
flanked by the British. The soldiers, however, were soon ralli- 
ed, and renewed the action with much spirit. Overpowered by 
numbers, they were again broken, and by the exertions of their 
oflicers were again formed, so as still to maintain the combat. 

The whole British fire was now directed at tliese two devoted . 
brigades. They had not lost an inch of ground, when Lord 
Cornwallis, perceiving that they were entirely without cavalrj", 
pushed his dragoons upon them, .ind at the sanae instant charged! 
them with the bayoRct. These gallant troops v/ere no longer 
able to keep the field. They were at length broken; and, as 
they did not give w^ay uutii intermingled with the enemy, the}^, 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 431 

dispersed, and retreated in confusion. Before they were reduced i 
to this last extremity, the Baron de Kalb, while making a vigor- ■ 
ous charge at tlie head of a regiment of infantry, fell under elev- 
en wounds. His aid de-eamp, Lieut. Col. Dii Buysson, embra- 
ced him, announcing his rank and nation to the surrounding foe, 
and begged that they would spare his life. While he thus gen- 
erously exposed himself to save his friend, he received several 
dangerous wounds, and with his general was taken prisoner. 
Although he received every attention and assistance it was in the 
power of the conquerors to bestow, the Baron expired in a few'>. 
hours. 

When broken, the continental troops were so closely pursued 
as to be unable to rally. Never was a victory more complete, 
or a defeat more total. 

About two hundred waggons, with a great part of the baggage, 
military stores, small arms, .and all the artillery fell into the 
hands of the conquerors. 

On the evening that Lord Cornwallis marched from Camden, 
Sumpter had reduced the- redoubt on the Wateree, captured the 
guard, and intercepted an escort with stores^ the whole of which, 
with about forty waggons, and upwards of one hundred prison- 
ers, had fallen into his hands. 

On hearing of the disaster that had befallen Gates, Sumpter 
began to retreat up the south side of the Wateree, with his cap- 
tured stores, and with his prisoners. 

On the morning of the 17th, Lord Cornwallis dispatched 
Tarlton with the legion, and a detachment of infantry, to pur- 
sue him. Sumpter had moved with so much celerity, that he 
believed himself out of danger, and had halted on the 18th, dur- 
ing the heat of the day, near the Catawba fard, to give them 
some repose. At this place he was overtaken by Tarlton, who, 
having crossed the river at Rocky Mount ford, entered his camp 
so suddenly as in a great measure to cutoff Ijis troops from, their 
arms. Sumpter had placed out videtts ; but overpowered by 
fatigue, and unapprehensive of danger, they had. fallen! asleep, 
and gave no alarm. 



432 AN AMERICAN FIEL© OP MARS. 

Some slight resistance was made from behind the waggons, 
but this was soon overcome, and the consternation occasioned by 
the surprise was so great, that the Americans fled precipitately 
into the river and woods. 

The succeeding day intelligence of this disaster reached Gen. 
Gates at Charlotte, a few of this broken army also arrived at 
that place. 

Gen. Gates, in the present disastrous state of affairs, thought it 
advisable to rendezvous till further orders at Salisbury — then at 
Hillsborough, where he was endeavoring to collect an army. 

Besides this defeat of Gen. Gates in the south, the army in . 
the north was almost entirely destitute of supplies, and daily 
diminishing in number, from their term of service expiring. 

The commander-in-chief did all in his power to alleviate 
their distresses ; the respect that the soldiers had for him, and 
his exertions in their behalf kept them from deserting. 

Every arm of the sea, near the continent, was frozen, so that 
the view presented one unbroken field of ice and snow. The 
severity of the season caused great distresses in New- York. 
Those supplies that they expected by water totally failed them. 
'The sufferings of the army for the want of clothing and pro- 
visions, through this remarkably severe winter was greater than 
at any other period during the war, and threatened the entire 
ruin of our cause. 

The British, taking advantage of those troubles, sent emissa- 
ries among our troops, to incite them to revolt and join their 
standard. 

Congress had compeleted her issue of two hundred million 
of dollars, of what was called continental bills or paper money, 
and had determined to issue no more. This was depreciating 
at a rapid rate ; and our financial system was in a confused sit- 
uation. 

During these disordered times, relaxation of discipline natu- 
rally succeeded, and discontent brdke out into actual mutiny. 
On the 25th of May, two regiments, belonging to Connecticut, 
paraded under arms and declared their resolution to return 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 433 

home, or to obtain sustenance at the point of bayonet. By the 
jrreat exertions of the oflicers the mutiny was quelled ; but the 
discontent was great and hard to be kept in subjection. Five 
months of their pay was now in arrears, and the depreciation of 
the money they said v^-as such that it would be of no vahie to 
them wJien they received it. lYhen reminded of the late reso- 
luiion of Congress to make good their losses, of the reputation 
acquired by their past good conduct, and of the value of the 
object for which they were contending, they answered, that their 
sufierings were too great to be longer supported, and that they 
must have present relief. 

Shortly after, a British army of about five thousand men 
under the command of Gen. Knyphausen, crossed from Staten 
island and landed in the n^'ght on Elizabeth point, in New-Jer- 
sey. Early next morning he marched into the country t3ward'3 
♦Springfield, concluding from reports that the country was near- 
ly in a state of revolt, and would make but little resistance; Iq 
this he soo'A found his mistake. On their march to the Con- 
necticut farms, they were met by small patrolling parties, order- , 
ed on by Gen. Washington, who kept up a continual and gall- i 
ing lira where the face df the country would admit it. At the / 
Connecticut farms they halted and burned that flourishing vilv 
Jagc, including the rheeting house and the house of the clergy 
man, wantonly murdering Birs. Caldwell the minister's wip. 
Mrs. Caldwell had been induced to remain in her house, un/er 
ihe persuasion that her presence might serve to protect it fom 
pillage, and that her person could not possibly be endang/rcd, 
as, in the hope of preserving the Farms, Col. Dayton wAo at 
that time commanded the militia, determined not to halt/n the 
village, but to take post at a narrow pass on the road yeading 
to Springfield. While she was sitting in the midst of ler chil- 
dren, having a .sucking infant in her arms, a soldier cane up to 
the window and discharged his musket at her. Sh?' received 
the ball in her bosom and instantly expired. 

Ashamed of an act so universally execrated, it wfl^ contended 
by the British, that this lady was the victim of a /mdom shot, 
55 

/ 



434 AN AMERICAN FIELD 01<' MARS. 

and even that the fatal ball had proceeded from the militia, in 
proof of which last assertion they insisted that the ball had en- 
tered on that side of the house which looked towards the retreat- 
ing Americans. But it was notorious that tlie militia made nO' 
stand at the Farms^- and a pathetic representation of the fact, 
made to the public by the afflicted hiisbanil, received universal 
credence and excited universal indignation. 

The death of Mrs. Caldwell might indeed be considered a» 
the act of a single soldier, and therefore not of itself involving" 
the reputation of tlie army; but whQU with it was connccied the 
wanton and useless devastation conmiiltcd by authority, these 
acts formed one connected wiiolo in the public mind, and serv- 
ed still more to confirm the settled hate of the well afiected, 
against the British goverment. 

From this [)lace Kuyphausen proceeded towards Springfield. 
The Americans in force under Gen, Maxwell, had taken an ad- 
vantageous position, and seeined determined to defend the place. 
Gen. Kuyphausen halted, and without attempting any thing re- 
tired in the night to E'iz.xbeth point and encamped. 

Gen. Washington, as soon as news of the British movements 
.cached him, put his army in motion and hastened .to the scene 
o' action. Kuyphausen, on his retreat, was followed, and the 
ncKt morning his out pests were attacked by our t|oops, who 
sujoosed his main body had crossed to Staten Island. They 
rusied forward to the attack, but finding tlicir mistake Ihey. 
withlrcw.. Gen, Washington tcok a position on the hills near- 
Sprinvftekl, rightly conjecturing that Kuyphausen was waiting 
for thercturn of Sir Henry Clinton from the .south, and that tho 
main oijcct in view was to concentrate their forces and ])roceed 
up the jJudson to West Point : he therefore ordered Blaj. Gen. 
Howe wio commanded that fortress to be in readiness to receive 
them. Bit as their views might be the destruction of the army 
in New-3'rsey and the stores at Movristown, Washington 
suggested Ue policy of threatening New-York, On the 18th, 
the alarmingiutelligence was received of the return of Sir Hen- 
ry Clinton: wijth lour thousand troops from the conquest ol 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 435 

South-Carolina. The British army now in New-York and its 
environs was estimated at twelve thousand effectives, rank and 
file. 

Gen. Washington, on the return of the British army from the 
south observed to Congress, " a very alarming- scene must short- 
ly open, and it will be happy for us if we steer clear of some 
serious misfortune in this quarter; there is no time to be lost, 
the danger is eminent, the obstacles to be ovc^rcome are great 
and numerous, and our efforts must be instant, unreserved and 
universal.'" 

On Sir Henry Clinton's return, indications were immediately 
miade threatening West Point. Gen. Washington left Gen. 
Greene to command in the Jerseys, and with the main division 
of the army, marched towards the Highlands. He had not gone 
far, when intelligence reached him that the British army iiad 
left Elizabeth Point, and were advancing towardsSpringfield. 



Battle of Springfield, New-Jerseij. 

Under the impression that the stores collected at that pla« 
was their object, he detached a brigade to hang on their rimt 
flank, and returned rapidly live or sixmilesin order to be re/ly 
io support Gen. Greene. 

Early in the morning of the 23d thie Brstish army, cons/'ting 
of about five thousand ' infantry, a large body of cavalr/ and 
from ten to twenty field pieces, marched by two differeiyroads 
with great rapidity towards Sprr.igfield. Maj. Lee was ac/anced 
on the Vauxhall road, and Col. Dayton on the dirp road. 
Both these corps made every possible opposition to ncir pro- 
gress, while Gen. Greene concentrated at Springfielc/'us little 
army. Scarcely was he able to make his dispositO'is, when 
the front of the British appeared , and a cannonade /ommeneed 
between their van and the American artillery, wlicb had been 
eo posted as defend a bridge over Railway, a small/iver running 
eagt of the town. This bridge was guarded by (ol. Angel with 

/ 



436 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

his reofiment, amoimtins: to less than two hundred men. At a 
second bridge, Col. Shreve was posted with his regiment, in 
order to cover the retreat of Anjel from the first. Maj. Lee, 
with his dragoons and the piquets under Capt. Walker, support- 
ed by Col. Ogden, was direclod to defend a bridge on the Vaux- 
hall road. The residue of the continental troops were drawn 
up in a body on high ground, in the rear of the town, with the 
militia on their flanks. 

The right column of the British advanced on Lee, who obsti- 
nately disputed the passage of the bridge, until a body of the 
enemy forded the river above him, and gained the point of a hill 
which endangered his position. lie then retreated. 

At this instant, their left attacked Col. Angel. That officer 
maintained his ground with the most persevering gallantry, for 
half an hour. Greene being unable to support him, he was then 
<:ompelled to retreat; he retired in perfect order, and brought 
off his wounded. His retreat was covered by Co!. Shreve, who, 
after Angel had passed him, was ordered by Gen. Greene to 
rejoin his brigade. The English then took possession of the 
town, which was reduced to ashes. 

Sir Henry withdrev/ that afternoon to Elizabeth Point, and 
ii the same night passed over into Staten Island. 

\bout this time the Marquis De La Fayette returned from 
Fr.nce, bringing intelligence that his government had conclud- 
ed >> employ a considerable land and naval force in the United 
State the ensuing campaign. This news reanimated all class- 
es, ari inspirited Congress to vigorous measures. 

On he 13th of July a portion of the French fleet arrived at 
Newpot. The utmost unanimity subsisted between the officers 
and met of both forces. "While waiting for the remainder of the 
French ieet an attack on New- York was agreed upon by the 
allied c(j(:manders. But the arrival of Admiral Grave from 
England, wth four ships of the line, prevented it. 

Sir Heniynow determined to attack the P^ench both by sea 
and land. 
On the first arrival of Count Rochambeau, the forts ia and 



REVOtUTIOKARY SCENES. 437 

about Newport were put into his possession. He strengthened 
the works, and arranged his shipping in a line to act in con j no- 
tion with the land forces. 

Gen. Washington, who lay in the Jerseys, determined to at- 
tack NewYork in CHnton's absence against Newport, and advised 
Rochambeau accordingly. Washington made the necessary dis- 
positions, and commenced his march with ten thousand men ; 
but the sudden return of Clinton frustrated the expedition. 

The second division of troops from France, when about to 
sail, was blockaded in the harbor ot Brest, by a British fleet. 
The French floet in the West Indies, under Count de Guichen, 
which was expected to co-operate with Chevclier de Tern ay, on 
our shores, sailed for Europe. Admiral Rodney arrived from 
England v/ith eleven ships of the line and four frigates. These 
circumstances completely annihilated the project of reducing 
New- York. 

The details of the further plan of co-operation between the 
allies needing their mutual conference, it was agreed that the/ 
head officers of the allies should meet in council on the 21st of 
September, at Hartford. 



Benedict Arnold's Treason. 

While the public mind was anticipating the great (vents 
expected from the combined arms of France and Anerica \ 
while the army was assailed by every species of distr/ss, and 
almost compelled to disperse by the want of food ; wl/lc Gen- 
eral Washington was struggling vv^ith difficulties, and s/staining 
the mortification of seeing every prospect he had lal^red to re- 
alize, snccessively dissipating; treason found its w^ into the 
American camp, and was machinating the ruin of t/e American 
cause. / 

The great services and military talents of Gaicral Arnold ; 
his courage in battle, and the patient fortitude/vith which he 
bore the most excessive hardships ; had secur4 to hira a high 

/ . 



i38 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

place in the opinion of the army, and a large portion o( the confi- 
dence of his country. 

Having not siifliciently recovered from the wounds ho had re- 
ceived before Quebec, and at Saratoirn, to be fit lor active service, 
and havinir large accounts to settle with the continent, which re- 
quired leisure ; he was. on the evacuation of Pluladelphia, in 
1778, appointed to take the command in that place. 

Having rendered himself peculiarly obnoxious to the govern- 
ment of l*ennsylvania as well as to many of the citizens of Phil- 
adelphia, formal charges aguinst him were brought by the exec- 
utive of that state before congress, who directed that he should 
be arrest d and tried by a court martial. He was .sentenced to be 
reprimanded by the con;mandiM-in-chief. This sentence was 
approved by congress and carried soon afterwards into execu- 
tion. 

From llic time the sentence against him was approved, if not 
sooner, it is probable that his proud unprincipled spirit revolted 
from thee- rse of his couniry. and determined him to seek occa- 
sion lor r nkin^ theol jcctsot his resentment, the victims of his 
/engeai cc. 

Every lij'^tory oflho American war exhibits the importance of 
^est Point. Its preservation had been the principal object of 
mure than (me caii\paign ; and its losf;, it was believed, wculd 
enfeeble all the military operations of the continent. Selected 
for tic natural f^lrcniilU of its sUnation, immense labor directed 
by skilful engineers had been employed on its fortifications; 
and itwas justly termed the Gibraltar of America. 

To tijs fortress Arnold turned his eyes as an acquisition which 
would gve value to treason, while its loss would inflict a mor- 
tal wounl «in his former friends. As affording the means of en- 
abling hir. to gratify both his avarice and his hate, he sought the 
command ^f it. He sought, through the influence of his friends, 
and by pera.iial solicitation, to obtain command of this post — 
which was lially sr'm'ed him. 

Previous t^his soliciting this station, he had. in a letter to co- 
lonel Robinsovi signified his change of principles, and his vvis^ 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 43^' 

to restore himself to the favor of his prince by some signal prool 
of his ropentaiice. This letter opened to him a correspondence 
with Sir Henry Clinton, liic immediate object of which, after ob- 
taining the appointment he iiad solicited, was to concert the 
means ufputtins: the important post he commanded into the pos- 
isession of the British <i;eneral. 

Major Andre, an aid de-camp of Sir Henry Clinton and adju- 
tant general of the Briiish army, was selected as 'the person to 
whom the matiirinn^ of Arnold's treason, and the arrangements 
for its execution should bo committed. A correspondence was 
for some time carried on between tliem. tuider a mercantile dis- 
guise, and the feiiined na-avs of Gnstavus and Anderson ; and 
at length, to facih'tate their cotrimunications. tlie Vidture sloopof 
war moved up the North River, and took a station convenient 
for the purpose, bait not so near as to excite suspicion. 

The time when General \¥ashington was at Hurtford was se- 
lected for finally adjusting every part of the plan J and as a per 
agonal interview with Arnold wou!d be necessary to complete 
their arrangttnents, Major Andre came up the river, and went 
on board of the Vulture. The place appointed (or the interview 
was tlie house of a Mr. S.mith, without the American po3ts. 

While this conference w.is progressing, a subaltern had pla 
ced a gun so as to bear on the Vulture, and in consequence 
Andre was compelled to att:rm;)t his way to Njw-York by land 
Disguising himself with a plain suit of clothes, and obtaining a 
passport h-om Gen. Arno'd authorizing- him, under the feign 
el name of John Anderfon, to proceed to the White Plains oi 
bwer if he thought proper, lie had passed all the guards 
and posts and was proceeding to New- York in perfect security, 
when one of three militia men who were employed with others 
as scouting parties between tlic two armies, sprung sudden|.v 
from his covert into the road and stopped him. Andre, insteaS 
of produciiig the pass from Gjn. Arnold, asked the man hastily 
where lie belonged to? he replied "to below," meaning New- 
York. Andre, without suspicion, replied "and so am I." He 
then declared himself to be a British officer, on urgent business, 



440 AN AMERICAN FIELD OK MARS. 

and begged that he might not be detained. The other two men 
coming up in- mediately, he discovered his mistake, too late to 
repair it. lie offered a purse of gold and a valual^lc watch, to 
which he added the most tempting promises of ample reward 
and permanent provision from the government, if ihey would 
permit him to esc;ipc ; but his offers were rejected by his cap- 
tors, who proceeded to searcli him. They found concealed in 
his boots exiict returns, in Arnold's hand writing", of the state of 
the forces, ordinance, and defences at West Point and its depen- 
dencies; critical remarks on the works; and an estimate of the 
men ordinarily employed in them ; with other interesting papers. 
He was taken before Lieu^. Col. Jameson, the ofliccr command- 
ing the scouting parties on the lines ; where he still maintained 
his assumed character, and requested Jameson to inform his com- 
manding oCfcer that Anderson was taken. Jameson, rejecting 
the suspicion that Arnold was to be found a traitor, dispatched 
an express with the connnunication which he had been request- 
ed to make. On receiving it, Arnold comprehending at once the 
dano^er witli which he was menaced, took refuge on board the 
Vulture, and afterwards proceeded to New-York. 

Wlien he supposed sufficient time to have elajiscd for Arnold 
to have made his escape, Andre acknowledged himself to be 
the adjutant general of the British army. 

Jameson immediately dispatched a packet to the commander- 
in-chief containing the papers which had been discovered. 

The expit'ss conveying tliese dispatches was directed to meet 
Washington who was then on his return from Hartford. Tak- 
ing different roads, they missed each other, and a delay attended 
the delivery of the papers which secured the escape of Arnold. 

Every precaution was immediately taken for the security of 
West Point. The garrison was put on the watch ; and Gen. 
Greene was directed to march the nearest division of the army 
instantly up to King's ferry to await further orders. The de- 
fection appears however not to have extended beyond Arnold 
himself. 

These measures of security being taken, it remained to deter- 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 



441 



mine the fate of the unforliinatG Andre. A board of general 
oliiocrs, of wb.ich t^en. Greene was president, and Gens. La 
Fayette and Sli/ubcn v/ero members, was called to report a pre- 
cise state of the case. 

The board reported the essential lacts wlrich had appeared,, 
with their opinion that Maj. Andre was a spy, and ought to 
suffer death. The cxccntion of this sentence was ordered on 
the day sutceeding tliat on which it was rendered. 

Superior to the terrors of death, he encountered his fate witb 
composure, dignity, and fortitude ; and such was his whole con- 
duct as to excite the admiration, and interest the feelings of all 
who witnessed it. 

The general officers lamented the sentence, which the usa- 
ges of war compelled them to pronounce; and perhaps on no 
occasion of liis life, did the commander-in-chief obey witb 
more reluctimce the stern mandates of duty and policy. 

The mingled sentiments of admiration and compassiom exci- 
ted in every bosom for the unfortunate Andre, seemed to add 
vigor to the detestation in which Arnold was held. -Andre," 
said Washington in a private letter, '• has met his fate with that 
fortitude which was to l)e expected from an accomplished man, 
and a gallant olhccr; but I am mistaken if at this time Arnold 
is undcrjoinu: the torments of a mental hell. He wants feelinjr. 
From some traits of iiis character which have lately come to 
my knowledge, lie seems to have been so hacknied in crime, so 
lost to all sense of honor and shame, that, while his faculties 
still enable him to continue his sordid pursuits, there will be 
no time for remorse." 

From motives of policy or of faith, Arnold was made a Brig, 
Gen. in the British service, which rank he held throughout the 
war. 

Nothing of importance transpired during the remainder of tha 
campaign. The army retired to winter quarters. 

Maj. Carlton, at the head of one thousand men, Europeans 
and Indians, made a sudden eruption from Canada into the 
northern part of New- York, and took forts Ann and George, 
55 



442 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

togellier with their garrisons. At the same time, Sir John John' 
son, at the head .)f a body oF men, torics and Indians, appeared 
on the xMuhawk. Several skirmishes were fouLrht ; and Gen. 
Clinton's brigade was ordered to the scene of action. Before it 
arrived, bowovcn-. the enemy had retircfl from both positions, 
layinir w.istc t!ic country throii2:h wiiicli they jiitssetl. 

Inthesnmmer of 178J, Russia, Sweden, and D.>nmnrk, en- 
tered into the celebrated compact, called '• The Armei Neutral- 
ity.^' The principal object w.ss to rodiic? t!ie list of ai-iicles con- 
sidered contiabtnid oi war.'.nid to impart to goods the character 
of the loitdni wl.ich conxcycd them. 

The niereliants of Holland snli'ered inv.noiiso los"?, by the 
Englisli taking their shi|)))ing. Tliis created diflJcnliics between 
the two governments; and war was conseqnently declared. 
This intelligence was joyfully received in America. 

Lord Coriiwallis, ahcr having nearly de'Tiolishcd the Ameri- 
can army ;it CamcJen. halted a lew weeks to recruit his army. 

Go;;. Su nptjr mnitiiriad a footing in S )utii-Carolina, and 
WouUI rr.'e[!ieni!y s.illy iVom his concealments, and a.itack the 
royalis's with success. 

Coniwallis direct.d his atlention to North-Carolina, and en- 
deavored to induce the royalists to embody in his (avor. Mai. 
FerL^uson was em))loycd, in the district of INinety Si.K, to train 
the refugees. "Wldle Ferguson was making his w.iy to join Corn- 
wallis, who was advancing into that part of the country, the 
hardv mountaineers of Virginia and North-Carolina, assembled 
under Cols. Campbell, Cleveland, Sbelly, and .Sevier, and mov- 
ed towards Ferguson. Attlie same time, Co!.v. Williams, Tra- 
C3y, and iir.inan, conduc:ed their forc3s tow.^rd> tlie same pomt. 

Fer^ni.son, fnidinir escape hopeless, chose his ground, and 
waited an attacic on Kmg's mountain. 

On tlieTth of October, the Americans came \\\^, and began to 
ascend the momitain in three columns. Col. Cleveland first 
reached the enemy, and immediately connnenced the action. 
iThe other parties soon came up, and the battle continued near 
an hour. Whenever the bayonet \vas applied, the assailant! 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 443 

-gave way ; but the; attack was at the same lime pressed from 
other quarters. In this crUical state of things, Maj. Ferguson 
received a mortal wound and instantly expired. TliC courago 
of his parly fell with him. The second in command was unable 
to maintain the conflici, and quarter was immediately demanded. 

In this s'larp action, one hundred and fifty of Ferguson's party 
were killed on the spot, and about the same number wero 
wounded ; eigh; 'hundred and ten, of whom one hundred were 
British troop;-; surrendered themselves prisoners ; and one thou- 
sand five hundred stand of excellent arms were taken. 

The loss of the Americans was very small ; but amongst the 
slain was Col. Williams. 

Cornwallis letired to his forrtier position, to wait for reinforce- 
forcemcnts. Sir Heiuy Clinton dispatched Gen. Leslie with 
twenty five f.ir.idred m3n. Hj landed on the south side of 
James river ; but was ordered by Cornwallis to repair to 
Charleston. 

Gen. Marion and his little band had become so formidable as 
to endan<icr the commtuiication between Camden and Charles- 
ton. Cornwallis ordered Tarlron to attack him ; but he eluded 
his grasp. Tarlton ravaged the coiurtry, and returned. 

Shortly after, Gen. Snmpfer reappeared at the head of a 
respectable number of mounted militia. Cornwallis formed a 
plan to surprise hiai in his camp at Broad river. The division 
detached for this purpose, readied its object several hours be- 
fore da v, and isiinifdiately charged the piquet, who only fired 
five shot, and then fled. One of these shot wounded Wemyss, 
the commander, and prevented him from proceeding. Sump- 
ter forni3d his troops, and the British were repulsed with tho 
loss of their commander and twenty men. 

After the action Sumpter joined Clark, and threatened Ninety 
Six. Tarlton was ordered to proceed against him. Tlie 63d 
regiment was ordered to join him, and the 71st was advanced ta 
Bryersly's Ferry, to support him. Sinnpter i egan a retreat. 
Tarlton follo.v/ed with his usual rapidity. At the ford of En- 
norce, he came up and cut to pieces a part of his rear guard 



444 



AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 



which was waiting for the return of a patrol, ?.nd continued 
his march v/ith as much rapidity as possible. The rapid river 
Tygcr run across the route which Siimpter had taken ; after 
passing which he would be in a state of security, 'i'o prevent 
tliis TarltoJi determined to press forward with liis cavalry. 

After a rapid pursuit of about an hour, he came within view 
of Sumptcr, who had reached the banks of the ''J'ygi'r, and post- 
ed his troops to great advantage. 

Tarltou, witiiout waiting for his infantry, or a lie!d piece^ 
rushed with his usual impetuosity to the cliarge. A\Wy several 
successive and inclTcctual attempts to dislodge the Americans, 
he was entirely repulsed ; and his troops retired from the field 
with great precipitation and disorder, leaving on the ground 
ninety-two dead, and one hundred wounded. 

After retaining porsc^ssion of the ground for several hours, 
Sumpter, who was severely wounded in the action, crossed the 
Tyger ; after which his troops dispersed. His loss was only 
three killed and four wounded. 

The shattered remains of the army, after the defeat at Cam- 
den, ha^ been slowly collecting at Hillsborough. The wholo 
number of regulars under Gen. Gates was about fonrteen hun- 
dred men. On receiving intelligence thatCornwaliis had occu- 
pied Charlotte, Gen. Gates detached Smallwood to the Yadkin, 
to take command of the troops in that quarter of the country. 
As Cornwallis retreated. Gates advanced to Charlotte. Small- 
wood went down the Catawba on the road to Camden ; and 
Morgan was advanced some distance in front. 

Thus siiiiated, 0!i the 5th of October, Congress called on the 
commander-in-chief to order a court of inquiry on tlu' conduct 
of Maj. Gen. Gates, as commander of the southern army, and to 
appoint some other ofiicer to that station till such inquiry bo 
made. Gen. Washington selected Gen. Greene. Lieut. Col. 
Lee was likewise ordered with his legion to join the southern 
army. Greene reached the head-quarters on the 2d of Decem- 
ber—after having visited the state authorities from whom he 
was to receive supplies. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 

•Col. Washins^lon, learning that a party of British was station- 
ed thirteen miles from Camden, made an attempt on it, which 
suceeeded. ilc found it posted in a log barn, so strongly secured 
as to be periectiy inaccessible to cavalry. He therefore painted 
n pine log, so as resemble a cannon ; mounted it on a carriage; 
paraded it in front of their works, and demanded a surrender. 
Knowing themselves unable to witlistand a cannonade, the 
whole party, consistmg of one hundred and twelve men, surren- 
dered. 

Gen. Greene detached Morgan to the south side of the Cataw- 
ba, to act as occasion might require, with about four hundred 
continental troops, and seven or eight hundred militia. 

Greene now proceeded down the Pedee, on the east side, op- 
posite Cheraw Hills. Cornwallis lay in Winnsborough, waiting 
the arrival of Gen. Leslie. The two armies were now about 
seventy miles apart. 

Morgan lay with his detachment at Grendal's ford, not quite 
fifty miles from Cornwallis. Supposing Morgan designed an 
attack on Ninety-Six, Cornwallis detached Tariton with about 
one thousand men, to cover that important post. Cornv/allis 
lay between Greene and Morgan, and it was an object v\rith his 
lordship to prevent their junction, and to strike atone of them 
while unsupported by the other. He ordered Tariton to pro- 
ceed against Morgan, nnd push him into Broad river, or drive 
him over it at all events. Tariton advanced with rapidity. 
Morgan, being advised of the movement, retired to the Cowpens. 
Here he determined to risk action, and prepared for the event. 

Battle of the Cowpens. 

The superiority of his adversary was so decided, that every 
prudential consideration seemed to forbid him to hazard an en- 
gagement. Morgan, however, had great confidence in himself, 
and in his troops ; he was unwilling to fly from an enemy not so 
decidedly his superior as to render it madness to fight him ; and 
he also thought that if he should be overtaken, whilst his men 



446 AN AMERICAN FIELD OP MARS. 

were fatigued and retreating, the probability of success would be 
much less, than it he should exhibit the appearance of fighting 
irom choice. 

These considerations determined him to halt earlier than waa 
absolutely necessary. 

Having left the whole of his baggage under a strong guard 
witli ordi;rs not to move until break of day, Tarlton at three m 
the morning of the 17th, recommenced the pursuit. 

Before day, Morgan received intelligence of his approach, and 
immediately prepared to receive liim. 

Although C3nsured by many for having determined to fight, 
and by seme for the ground he chose, all admit the judgment 
with which his disposition was made. 

Soon aCtor his disposition was mixde, the British van appeared 
in sight. Confident of a cheap victory, Taritoa instantly or- 
dered the line to be formed. 

The instant the British line was formed, it rushed forward 
with great impetuosity, shouting as it advanced. After a single 
fire, M'Dov .11 and Cunningham fell back into the line comman- 
ded by Col. Pickens. Tins was charired with so n)iich iuryas 
to be unable to keep its ground : nno soon retreated mto the rear 
of the second line, "^riic British conlinued to press forward 
with great eagerness, and, though received by the continental 
troops with a firmness unimpaired by the rout of the front line, 
they continued to advance. Soon after the action with the con- 
tiiiental troops had commenced, Tarlton ordered up his reserve- 
Perceiving that the enemy extended beyond him both on the right 
and left, and that, on the right especially, they were ])ressing for- 
ward to gain his flank, Hou-ard ordered the company on his 
rio"ht to chancre its front so as to face the Brilibli on that flank. 
From some fault or mistijke in the officer commandinir this com- 
pany, it fell back, instead of fronting the enemy; upon which 
the rest of the line, supposing a change of ground for the whole 
to have been directed, began to retire in perfect order. At this 
momrjit, general Morgan rode up, and directed the infantry to 
retreat over the summit of the hill, about one hundred yards to 



REVOLUf lONARY SCENES. 447 

die cavalry. This judicious order extricated the flunks from im- 
mediate danger. Beheviiig tlie fate of the day to be decided, the 
British pressed on with increased ardor, and in some disorder j 
and when ihe Americans iialted, were witliin thirty yards of them. 
The orders then given by Howard to face the enemy were exe- 
culed as soon as they were received ; andthe whole line poured 
in upon them a fire as deadly as it was unexpected.. Perceiving' 
the confusion occasioticd by this sudden flrc. Haward seized the 
the critical moment, »nd ordered his rcgimeul to charge them 
with the bayonet. Tliese orders were iiistantly obeyed, and the 
British lino was broiceti. 

At the sam3 moment, the detacliment of cavah'y on the British 
right was routed by Wasliington. The militia of Pickens had 
rode to tlie ground, and tied their horses in the rear of Howard's 
left. When the front line was Ijroken many of them fled to their 
horses, and were closely pursued by the cavalry, who, while the 
continental infantry were retiring, passed their flank, and were 
cuttins; down the scattered milida in their tear. Washington, 
who had previously ordered his men not to fire a pistol, now di- 
rected tlienito charge the British cavalry withdrawn swords. — 
A sharp conflict ensued, but it was of siiort duration. The Bri- 
tiih were driven from the ground with considerable slaughter, 
and were closely pursued. Both Howard and Washinoton prec- 
sed the advantage they had respectively gained, until the artil- 
lery and a great part of the inftmtry had surrendered. So sud- 
den was the defeat that a considerable portion of the British cav- 
alry had not been brought into action ; and though retreating, 
remained unbroken. Washington pursued them rapidly, and 
was followed by Ho'ward. He attacked them with great spirit; 
but as they were superior to him in numbers, his party leceived 
a temporary check ; and in this part of the action he sustained a 
greater loss than in any other. But the infantry advancing to 
support him, Tarltoa contimied the retreat. 

In this action, upwards of one hundred of the British, inclu- 
ding ten commissioned officers were killed ; twenty-nine com- 
missioned officers and five hundred privates were made prisoj>. 



448 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

«rs. Eight hundred muskets, two field pieces, two standards, 
thirty-iivc baggaj;e wagons and one hundred dragoon horses 
fell into the hands of theconqncrors. 

Turlton, with the greatest part of his cavalry, retreated to Ham- 
ilton's ford on Broad river, towards the head quarters of lord 
Cornwall is, then about twenty- five miles from tlie Cowpens. 
Tlie party left in his rear with the baggage, having received ear- 
ly information of his total defeat, set fire to such articles as they 
could not remove, and joined the main army. 

This complete and decisive victory cost the Americans in kill- 
ed and wounded, less than eighty men. 

Seldoin have battles, in which greater numbers were not en- 
gaged, been so important as that of the Cowpens. By it Corn- 
walUs was deprived of one fifth of his number. Had Greene 
been in a situation to have taken advantage of this victory and 
pressed upon Lord Cornwallis, the destruction of his army 
might have been complete. His lordship immediately exerted 
himself to repair his loss. The day after the battle was employ- 
ed in forming a junction with Gen. Leslie, and early next morn- 
ing marched m pursuit of Morgan. Aware of this, our hero 
abandoned the baggage he had taken, leaving his wounded un- 
der th3 protection of fiag; giA^ing his men just time to breath, 
he made a rapid march up the Broad river, which he crossed at 
the upper ford and proceeded with the utmost celerity to the 
Catawba, passing it only two hours before the van of the British 
reached its banks. 

In the course of the night a heavy rain rendered the river im- 
passable, and thus gave Morgan an opportunity to escape. Ho 
encamped at Sherwood's ford, where Green arrived on the 31st 
January and took command of this division. Greene's object 
was to form an immediate junction of the two divisions of the 
army. Early on the first of February, Cornwallis crossed tho 
Catawba, when a skirmish ensued with Gen. Davidson, who 
was killed. Cornwallis then proceeded in pursuit of Greene 
and Morgan, who took tho road through Salisbury, and crossed 
the Yadkin on the second night of February. Here providence 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 449 

a^aiii interfered, and a heavy rain swelled the river so that the 
43nemy could not cross. The weather remaining unsettled some 
days, Cornwallis determined to march up the Yadkin and cross 
at the upper ford. Greene in the mean time pursued his march 
to Guilford court house, where, on the 9th, he joined Gen. Hu- 
ssar with the other detachment of the army. His. infantry now 
amounted to about two thousand men, of whom six hundred 
were militia ; his cavalry was between two and three hundred 
strong. 

Lord Cornwallis lay twenty-five miles above him, with a well 
disciplined army of two thousnnd five hundred men, embrac- 
ing three hundred cavalry. Having- failed to prevent the junc- 
tion of the American army, he now determined to get between 
Greene and Virginia. Greene on the other hand determined to 
avoid an engagement by crossing the Dan, the largest brancli of 
the Roanoalre, by collecting boats at a point seventy miles below 
Guilford. The next day botli armies resumed their march 
while the light corps under Williams was dispatched to harass. 
Cornwallis and compel him to march with caution ; and on the 
14th Greene accomplished his object after marching forty miles 
in one day; scarce had his rear reached tlie north bank of tlu- 
river when the van of the enemy appeared on the opposite shore. 
Lord Cornwallis having now entire possession of North-Car- 
olina, proceeded to organize a royal government to secure his 
conquest, and for this purpose repaired to Hillsborugh, where 
he erected the royal standard and isivited the inhabitants to re- 
pair to it. A great part of North-Caroima had always been 
hostile to the revolution, and the British army now being in a 
situation to protect them, it was supposed that large reinforce- 
ments would immediately join the royal standard. 

When Cornwallis crossed the Catawba, Greene called upou 
Virginia for aid, and six hundred men immediately assembled 
under the command of Gen. Steptiens, 

Greene with the main army crossed the Dan, leaving liis ])ag- 
gage in Virginia. As Greene anticipated, the tory militia were 
jising to join his lordship. In one day seven companies were 
5/ 



450 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS, 

formed, and Tarlton was sent to favor their rising. Intelligence 
of this being received, Col. Lee with his legion, and Gen.jPick- 
ens with a corps of militia, were detached to attack both parties. 
Lee came up with the tories in a long lane about a mile from 
Tarlton's camp, whither they were hastening. They mistook 
Lee for Tarlton and received him with expressions of joy and 
attachmentjtill he charged upon them and cut them to pieces while 
making protestation of royalty, declaring they were the best 
friends the king had. Two hundred or three hundred, with 
their leader, Col. Pyle, was cut to pieces by the sword. This 
terrible carnage broke the spirit of the royalists ; alarm being 
given to Tarlton, he ordered his legion to return to Hillsborough. 
Lord Cornwallis marched to AUimance Creek, to favor the to- 
ries. Greene followed hard in their rear. 

Lord Cornwallis moved in full force, in a dense fog, against 
the infantry, who lay at Reed's Forks. A sharp skirmish ensu- 
ed. (The Americans retreated with the loss of about fifty killed 
and wounded. Greene fell back to the iron works, on Trouble- 
some creek, and Cornwallis to his old camp. 

Gen. Greene, having received all the reinforcements he ex 
pected, instantly prepared to try titles' for victory, with his lord 
ship, at the point of the bayonet. 



Battle of Guilford. 

He marched to Guilford court-house, and took a position 
within eight miles of the ground occupied by lord Cornwallis. 

By a field return made on the 13tli of March, his rank and 
file amounted to four thousand two hundred and sixty-one. 

The fire of his reconnoitring parties, early in the morning oi 
the 1 5th of March, announced the approach of the British army 
on the great Salisbury road. 

The order of battle was immediately for-medj -and Gen. Greene 
waited for the enemy. 

On tlie first appearance of the British column, a cannonade 
wa.s commenced upon it from the two six pounders stationed- in 
the road, which was immediately returned. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 451 

Their disposition being made, the British trooj^s advanced to 
die charge with the cool, determined courage, which disciphne 
inspires. 

Notwithstanding the great advantages of tlieir position, and 
the security ailorded by the cover of a thick wood, a strong 
lence, and a second line in their rear, the North- Carolina militia 
lied with the' utmost precipitation. 

The British now advanced on the second line, where they 
were received with more firmness. Stevens had posted sentinels 
about forty yards in the rear of his brigade, with peremptory 
orders to shoot any man who should break the ranks, and at- 
tempt to escape, before he should direct a retreat. Here, the ac- 
tion was kept up for some time with great resolution. Perceiv- 
ing the corps on their flanks, the enemy brought the whole of 
their reserved infantry into the line. ^ 

The several divisions of the British army had been separated 
from each other by the necessity of extending themselves to the 
right and left, in ortter to encounter the distinct corps which 
threatened their flanks. 

Greene now entertained the most sanguine hopes of a com- 
plete victory. His continental troops were fresh, in perfect or- 
der, and upon tlie point of being attacked by an enemy broken 
into distinct parts, and in all probability supposing the severity 
of the action to be over. The second regiment of Maryland 
vms posted at some distance from the first, in open ground ; its 
left forming almost a right angle with the line was to present a 
front to any corps which might attack on that flank. In advan- 
cing, the British inclined to the right ; and the second battalion 
of guards entered the open ground immediately after the retreat 
of Stevens and rushed on the second regiment of Maryland, while 
the first was engaged with Webster. Without waiting to receive- 
the charge, that regiment broke in the utmost confusion; and every 
effort of their officers to rally them proved ineffectual. The guards 
pursued them for a short distance, and took two six pounders 
which this precipitate flight had left entirely exposed. 
Greene himself witnessed the misfortune without being able' 



452 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

to remedy it. His militia and one fourth of his continental 
troops having fled from the> field, he ordered Col. Greene of Vir- 
ginia to withdraw his remaining regiments, and take a position 
in the rear for the purpose of affording a rallying point to the 
fugitives, and of covering the retreat of the two regiments still 
remaining in the field. 

The guards were soon called from the pursuit of the fugitives 
and led by Lieut. Col. Stuart against the first regiment of Mary- 
land, commanded by Col. Giinby. On learning that Stuart 
was approaching in his rear, Gunby ordered his regiment to 
face about arid advance up a piece of rising ground towards 
the enemy. The guards soon showed themselves on the sum- 
mit of the hill, and a very animated fire took place on both 
sides, during which the Americans continued to advance. 

In this critical moment, lieutenant colonel Washington was 
drawn to this part of the action by the vivacity of the fire. He 
instantly made a furious charge upon the guards, and broke their 
ranks. 

While ascending the hill, Gunby's horse was killed under 
him, and being entangled in the fall, he was for sometime unable 
to extricate himself For the moment, lieutenant colonel How- 
ard commanded the regiment, which advanced with such rapid- 
ity that Gunby could not overtake it, and which was within 
thirty yards of the cavalry. Almost at the same instant, the in- 
fantry rushed upon them with the bayonet,and following the horse 
through them, had the whole battalion completely in their power. 
In passing through it, captain Smith of the infantry killed its 
commanding officer. 

After passing through the guards into the open ground where 
the second regiment had been originally posted, Howard per- 
ceived several columns of the enemy, and among them some 
pieces of artillery. Believing his regiment to be the only one 
remaining in the field, he retreated in perfect order, and brought 
oft' some prisoners, although many of the guards who had fallen 
while thef Americans were charging through them, rose and 
fired on him when retiring. About the same time tlie cavalry 
also re^'-'^ated. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 453 

About the same time the remaining Virginia regiment 
which was commanded by Colonel Hawes, and Kirkwood's 
infantry which had formed on the right of the whole when the 
second line was routed, also retreated. Colonel Webster had 
been warmly engaged with those corps, while he kept up a more 
distant fire on the first regiment of Maryland. He had found 
himself so closely pressed, that he was under the necessity of 
retiring behind a ravine which he had crossed, and of taking a 
position on its opposite bank, until he should learn the situation 
of affairs on the British right. This occasioned that cessation 
of his fire which left Gunby at liberty to direct his whole force 
against the guards. 

On finding the action restored in other parts of the line, Web- 
ster had returned to the charge ; after which, he rather gained 
upon Hawes, and endeavored to turn his right flank. 

There being reason to apprehend that Hawes would be com- 
pletely enveloped by the enemy, Greene ordered a retreat. This 
circumstance took place about the time that the left also retreat- 
ed. The artillery, consisting of four field pieces, as well as two 
ammunition wagons, were unavoidably abandoned ; the horses 
which drew them being killed, and the woods too thick to admit 
Oi their being dragged elsewhere than along the great road. — 
The retreat was made in good order, and Gen. Greene in person 
brought up the rear. 

The action on the right and centre was now entirely over; 
but Campbell's riflemen still maintained their ground against 
Gen.- Leslie. 

After the guards had routed the brigade commanded by Law- 
son, and had gained the summit of the hill on which the Virgin- 
ia militia had been posted, they found themselves attacked on 
their right flank by the infantry of Lee's legion and by the mili- 
tia riflemen. The fire was so well maintained both on their 
front and flank, that they were entirely broken and driven be- 
hind the regiment of Bose, which having moved with less im- 
petuosity was advancing in compact order. 

This regiment sustained the fire of the Americans, until lieu- 



454 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

tenant colonel Norton was able to rally the guards and to bring- 
them back to the charge : after which the riflemen drew tiiera 
into a thick Wood where the action was maintained with great 
obstinacy on both sides, until the battle was lost on the right. 
Tiieutcnant colonel Tarlton was then ordered to tlie support of 
Leslie. On coming up, he charged the riflemen, who benig un- 
able to resist cavalry, were driven from the field. 

About three miles from the field of battle, behind Reedy fork 
creek, Gen. Greene halted for the purpose of collecting his 
stragglers ; after which he retired about twelve miles, to the 
Ironworks on Troublesome creek, the place appointed for the 
rendezvous of his army in the event of its being defeated. 

The returns made immediately after the action, exhibited a 
loss in killed, wounded and missing in the continental troops, 
of fourteen commissioned officers, and three hundred and twelve 
non-commissioned officers and privates. 

The victory at Guilford was dearly purchased. Official re- 
turns state the loss of the British army at five hundred and thir- 
ty two men ; among whom were several officers of high rank. 

No battle in the course of the war reflects more honor on the 
lourage of the British troops, than that of Guilford. On no 
other occasion had they fought with such inferiority of num- 
bers, or disadvantage of ground. 

Not to count the first line, which relinquished its .advanta- 
geous position without a struggle, Greene's army consisted of 
three thousand two hundred men. posted on ground chosen by 
himself. 

In his camp on Troublesome creek Greene expected to be 
again attacked, since the motives which had induced Cornwallis 
to risk the battle of Guilford still operated. But the situation 
of his lordship was in reality more desperate than it was suppo- 
sed to be by Greene. He had derived no other advantage from 
the victory than the safety of the remnant of his army. 

The consequences of the battle proved that Greene had not 
been less judicious in determining to fight, than ni 'the arrange- 
ment of iiis troops. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 455 

The loss of the British in this action, frustrated the hopes oi 
Lord CornwalHs. The third day after the battle, he broke up 
his encampment, leaving his badly wounded to the mercy of his 
enemies, proceeding by slow and easy marches towards Cross 
creek. On hearing that the British army, instead of attacking 
him, was absolutely retreating, Greene immediately resolved to 
ibllow them. 

The American army was put in motion for that purpose. At 
ilumsey's Mills, Greene deUberated on his future operations ; 
and took the bold and happy resolution, to carry the war into 
South Carolina. 

Cornwallis resolved to follow him, but left Lord Rawdon to 
defend the post, and advance himself further into Virginia, which 
had been invaded by a strong detachment, first under Arnold, 
the traitor, and afterwards by the infamous incendiary Phillips. 

On the 19th, a fleet of transports, having on board one thou- 
sand six hundred men, under Arnold, sailed from the Hook, and 
proceeded to James river. On the 4th of January, 1781, they 
reached Westover, about twenty-five miles from Richmond, th^ 
capital of Virginia. 

On reaching Vv'estover, Arnold landed his army, and immedi- 
ately commenced his march for Richmond. In the mean time, 
the militia and inhabitants moved what public stores they could, 
to a place of security. The next day, Arnold entered Richmond, 
where he halted with about five hundred men ; the remainder, 
lour hundred in number, marched under command of Col. Sin- 
coe, to ^Vestham, where they burnt and destroyed a valuable 
foundry, a boring mill, powder magazine, and other military 
stores, several pieces of artillery fell into their hands. This ser- 
vice being completed, this detachment joined Arnold at Rich- 
mond. After destroying public and private property, to a large 
amount, they left Richmond tlie next day, and proceeded to West- 
over. The 10th, they embarked and proceeded down the river. 
Baron Steuben immediately followed him. 

Arnold still proceeded down the river, and on the 20th readied 
Portsmouth, where he determined to make a stand. Baron Steu- 



4r)(:y AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS, 

hen hung upon liis rear, and took possession of a commandinii" 
pass, leading into the country, and confined him to narrow limits, 
J II tlic north, t lie year commenced with an alarming event, 
which threatened for a time the ruin of our cause. Tiie dis- 
tres:^'es ol the army lor clothing and provisions, still continued, 
and wos almost insupportable. The discontent broke out o\i 
the night of the 1st of January, into an open and almost uiu- 
versal revolt ot the line. Gen. Washington's liead-quarters. 
A\'hen the revolt took place, was at New- Windsor, on the North- 
lliver. In the evening of the 3d, an express arrived from Gen. 
Wayne, bringing him intelligence of this meeting. He deter- 
mined to try his own personal authority to restore order, by go- 
ing immediately himself to the mutineers. But hearing that it 
was already in the hands of the civil authority, and other mat- 
ters needing his assistance on the TSorth-River, he thought best 
to stay away and let thera settle the business. What made the 
revolt more alarming, was, the river being perfectly clear of ice. 
and should Sir Henry take advantage of this, and sail for West- 
?oint, it might prove serious to the American cause. Gen. 
Washington concluded it M'-ould be best for him to remain at 
West-Point, and do what he could to appease the mutinous spirit, 
by conciliatory means, as he knew their complaints were just. 
;ind not to appear where he was fearful his commands would be 
hsrcgarded. 

TIic whole American ibrce at this date, did not exceed six 
thousand, including sick, and those on furlough. Of this num- 
ber, about tliirteen hundred and seventy-six men were in the 
Highlands. Gpi\. Hugar was entrusted with the negociation, 
and to watch the motion of the rest of the army, and dissuade 
them from rash resolutions, and try to get the revolters over the 
Delaware, so as to render their communication with the enemy 
more difUcult. The Governor of New York was requested to 
assist, and to order out the militia should occasion require. Gen. 
Washington called a council of officers at West Point, to sound 
the disposition of tlie soldiers stationed there, and found it favor- 
able. Washington then ordered the troops at that st ation to be 
in readiness to march at a moment's warning. 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 457 

On the first notice of tlie mutiny, tlic Jersey militia took tiie 
Held in order to oppose any attempt of the enemy in concert 
with the revolters. 

On the mornina; of the 8d, inteihgence of the revolt reached 
Sir H. Chnton, who immediately made his calcukuions, to avail 
liimself ot circumstances as they might offer. A large body of 
soldiers were ordered to be in readiness, and three emissaries were 
sent, v/ith flattering promises, inviting them to an interview with 
a committee appointed for tlie purpose, keeping an eye on West 
Point, should Washington make a move. 

;Sir Henry was unwilling to enter the Jerseys, till he knew the 
minds of the mutineers, as should he cross the river, if they were 
hostile to the British interests, his presence might drive them 
back to their duty. His emissaries were immediately seized, and 
their proposals communicated to Gen. Hugar. But they refused 
to cross the river, and would not permit their former officers to 
enter their camp; ordering Gen. St. Clair, Mai'quis Lafayette, 
and Col. Lawrence, to leave Princeton immediately, and such 
was tlie state of things, when a conmiittee Irom Congress, and 
President Reed arrived, with a part of his executive council, in 
the neighborhood of the revolters. 

A conference was immediately held with the sergeants, who 
now commanded, and the following propositions were made and 
circulated amongst the troops, lor their coiisideration. These 
propositions were accepted, and in these proposals the govern- 
ment offered — 

1st. To discharge all tliose who had enlisted indefinitely for 
three years, or during the war ; the fact to be examined into by 
three commissioners, to be appointed by the executive ; and to 
be ascertained, where the original enlistment could not be pro- 
duced, by the oath of the soldier. 

2d. To give immediate certificates for the depreciation on 
their pay, and to settle the arrearages as soon as circumstances 
would admit. 

3d. To furnish them immediately with certain specified arti- 
cles of clothing which were greatly wanted. 
58 



458 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

The dangerous policy of treating with soldiers with arms in 
their hands, encouraged the Jersey line to a similar revolt. On 
the night of the 20th, a part of the Jersey brigade arose in arms, 
and made precisely the same demand. Gen. Washington, m 
order to prevent the spirit of revolt, ordered Gen. Howe to march 
against them, making no terms, and as soon as they surrendered, 
to seize some of their most active leaders and execute them on 
the spot. These orders were implicitly obeyed. 

Thus the Jersey mutineers were compelled to return to their 
duty. Sir Henry had no better success with the Jerseys than 
with the Pennsylvania line. 

The states, in order to prevent luture revolts, instantly attend- 
ed to the complaints of their soldiers, in forwardii^ three months 
pay in specie. 

A foreign loan, at this time seemed absolutely necessary, and 
Col. Lawrence was sent to France, to obtain, if possible, the de- 
sired amount. 

]Next to a supply of money. Gen. Washington conceived a na- 
val superiority of the utmost importance to the allies, and urged 
the court of Versailles to adopt measures for this purpose. 
►South-Carohna, Georgia, and a large part of North-Carolina, 
were completely under British authority. Gen. Greene was 
hardly able to hold a footing in North-Carolina. And a second 
detachment from New- York was making its way through the 
heart of the country. The aspect of ali'airs could not be con- 
cealed from the enemy. Strong hopes were entertained in 
England of confirming their possession of all the stales south of 
the Hudson. France and Spain wished to restrict the western 
boundaries of the States, and to exclude them from the naviga- 
tion of the Mississippi river. 

Happily for the I'nited States, Mr. Jay, our minister at Mad- 
rid, was instructed to make concessions to Spain of certain terri- 
tory on the western border of the States, and to demand that the 
treaty of alliance then negotiating should be instantly ratified, 
or not be binding at any future period. 

In 1781 Congress resolved itself into a geaaeral compact of all 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. AB9 

the States, under what was termed the Federal or General Gov- 
ernment. 

Geu. Washington now turned his attention to the south, 
in order to devise means for the destruction of the British fleet 
on the coast of Virginia. 

From the first arrival of the French fleet on the coast it had 
been blockaded on the harbor of Newport. In January, a de- 
tachment of the British fleet encountered a furious storm on the 
east of Long-Island. The Caledonian, a 74 gun ship, was lost : 
the Bedford seventy-four was dismasted, and the Amerium sixty 
four was driven out to sea. This event gave Admiral Destou- 
ches the superiority. He instantly resolved to dispatch a ship 
of the hne and two frigcvtes to the Chesapeake. 

On receivino- the inteIlio;ence of the British loss in the storm. 
Gen. Washington determined to make a powerful movement 
against Arnold. He ordered La Fayette to draw from the lines 
of New-England and New- Jersey twelve hundred men, lor the 
purpose of marching to the head of Chesapeake, there to embark 
for Virginia, under convoy of a French frigate. Washington 
addressed letters to Baron Steuben and Gov. Jefferson, to lend al! 
the aid they could. On the 9th of February, a sixty-four gun 
ship and two frigates, sailed from Newport for the Chesapeake. 
But finding Arnold's fleet in a situation not to be assailed with 
any prospect of success, D'Tillejr, who commanded the fleet, 
returned to Newport, after capturnig the Romilus. a fifty gun 
ship. 

La Fayette .had embarked his troops at the head of the Elk. 
and proceeded to Annapolis in Maryland, where he waited for 
the French frigates to convey him to Virginia. The return of 
the French fleet defeated the object intended, and La Fayette 
returned to the head of the Elk, where he received orders to 
join the southern army. 

About this time Gen. Phillips, with t\v6 thousand men, em- 
barked firom New- York for Portsmouth in Virginia. This pow- 
erful reinforcement gave the British a decided superiority over 
any military force that could be brought against them in that 



460 AN AMERICAN FIELD OP MARS. 

State, and changed the destination of La Fayette to whom it> 
defence was entrusted. 

His detachment being poorly clothed, La Fayette borrowed 
on his own responsibility, two thousand guineas in Baltimore; 
and bought cloth, which the ladies of that city immediately made 
into the necessary articles for the soldiers. 

Having arranged the plans of the campaign, La Fayette 
marched immediately to Virginia. The enemy had made deep 
inroads into the state, and were rioting in wealth plundered from 
the inhabitants. 

After the arrival of Gen. Phillips, the command of all the 
troops in Virginia was entrusted to him. He completed the for- 
tifications around Plymouth. About two thousand men em- 
barked, and proceeded up James River, and landed in the neigh- 
borhood of Williamsburgh ; different detachments spread them- 
selves over the country, and after destroying a ship-yard belong- 
mg to I he state, with some armed vessels and stores, the troops 
embarked and proceeded to City Point. The next dav; they 
marched for Petersburgh, where immense quantities of tobacco 
and other stores, were deposited. 

Baron Steuben was not in a situation to check their career. 
The regular forces of Greene, together with the militia, did not 
exceed two thousand men. He was unwilling to abandon Pe- 
tersburgh without a show of resistance. He posted his men 
one mile below the town, with orders to skirmish with the ene- 
my — which orders were obeyed, and the advance of the enemy 
was thereby checked for two or three hours. After this, Phillips 
took possession of Petersburgh, and Baron Steuben retreated 
towards Richmond. The enemy destroyed tobacco to a consid- 
erable amount, and all the shipping in the harbor. 

This done, Arnold was dispatched to Osborne's, a village fif- 
teen miles below Richmond : while Phillips proceeded to Ches- 
terfield, and destroyed the barracks and a few stores. 

On the 30th, a junction was formed between Arnold and 
Phillips, when they marched without opposition to Manchester, 
a small town on the south shore of James river, opposite to Rich- 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 461 

inond, where the war-houses were set on fire, and all the tobac- 
co consumed. 

On the preceding evening, La Fayette arrived in Richmond, 
and saved it from a second pillage, which was designed against 
it. The regular troops, under La Fayatte, were joined by about 
two thousand militia. 

Not thinking it advisable to pass the river in lace of such a 
force, Phillips marched down to Bermuda Hundred, destroying 
property on his way to an immense amount. Here he embarked 
his troops, and fell down as far as Hog Island. Dispatching 
small parties to watch the enemy. La Fayette fixed his head 
quarters about eighteen miles below Richmond, where he con- 
tinued till a letter from Lord Cornwallis called Phillips up 
James river to meet him at Petersburgh. Phillips received this 
letter the 7th of May, and immediately sailed up the river. La 
Fayette returned to the defence of Richmond. Having on his 
arrival learned that Lord Cornwallis was marching northward, 
and that Phillips was landing at Brandon, on the north side of 
the river, he well knew that a junction was intended, and has- 
tened to take possession before Phillips arrived. In this he was 
disappointed. Phillips' march was so rapid that he arrived first. 
He then repassed James' river, and encamped a few miles below 
Richmond, and used his utmost exertions to remove the stores to 
a place of safety. Lord Cornwallis soon arrived, and formed a 
junction with Phillips' army in May. On his arrival, he took 
command of the whole army. Phillips being dead, Arnold had 
taken command. Finding his fofce sufficient to look down all 
opposition in Virginia, he immediately determined to bring La 
Fayette to action — which would result in the total defeat of our 
army. For this purpose he crossed James' river at Westover, 
where he was joined by a reinforcement late from New- York. 
He attempted to turn the left flank of the American army, and 
get into their rear. This La Fayette evaded. Having secured 
the stores, he marched north, to meet Gen. Wayne, with the 
Pennsylvania line. Robbing the stables of inhabitants. Lord 
<^ornwallis mounted a large number pf cavalry, and rapidly 



462 AN AMER' -AN FIELD OF MARS. 

pursued La Payette. Possessing this advantage, he was so 
confident of overtaking and destroying the army of the Marquis, 
as to say exultingly, in a letter to Sir Henry Clinton, which was 
intercepted, •' The boy cannot escape me." 

La Fayetle, who was joined by a number of cavalry from 
Virginia and Maryland, moved with such speed that Cornwallis 
found his boy had completely out-witted him — was beyond his 
reach, and would soon join Gen. Wayne. He pursued hun some 
distance, and gave up the chase as fruitless, and directed his 
attention to objects of less magnitude. 

To secure his junction with Wayne, La Fa^^ette found it ne- 
cessary to cross the Rapiden. The movement of the two armies 
had thrown Cornwallis completely between La Fayette and the 
stores deposited near Albemarle court house. To avail himsell 
of his position. Lord Cornwallis turned to the south ; crossed 
Pamunky, and directed his march towards Albemarle. The 
Marquis, about this date, formed a junction with Gen. Wayne's 
army, consisting of eight hundred men. Emboldened by this 
reinforcement, he re-crossed the Kapiden, and rapidly advanced 
on the British army, and encamped within a few miles ot them, 
when they were yet a day's march from Albemarle. Cornwallis 
took a position on a road which he supposed the Americans could 
not fail to' take ; wishing to force l^a Fayette to an engagement. 
La Fayette in the mean time discovered a road that had been 
long disused, and opened it in the night. The next morning, 
when the British commander thought to seize his prize, to his 
mortification he found that La Fayette had crossed the Rivannah 
and taken a strong station on Mechunch creek. This station 
commanded the route to Albemarle. La Fayette received a 
reinforcement of militia. Lord Cornwallis abandoned the object, 
and resumed his marcli — first towards Richmond, and after- 
wards to Williamsburgh. The Marquis followed cautiously, 
keeping command of the upper country. 

On the 18th June, Baron Steuben joined him, with five hun- 
dred men. The army now consisted of about four thousand 
men : two thousand of whom were regulars. That of Cora- 



REVOLUTIONARY SCENES. 46^^ 

wallis was somewhat superior, and all effective regulars ; and a 
powerful body of cavalry, that had spread terror through' the 
country. As the British army retired to Williamsburgh, L;i 
Fayette, who sought a partial, though he avoided a general 
engagement, kept his main body twenty miles distant, while his 
light troops huns: upon the rear of the enemy. After a severe 
skirmish, the Americans encamped near Williamsburgh. 

La Fayette complamed of the tardiness of the militia, and 
thought that the presence of the commander-in-cliief would 
rouse them to action. The governor of Virginia, a number ot 
members of Congress, and other respectable inhabitants urged 
Gen. Washington to the defence of his own state. But he con- 
sidered America as his country, and that his- duty called him 
to maintain his position on the Hudson. 

Sir Henry Clinton having learned from intercepted letters 
that Washington meditated an attack on New- York, ordered 
Corn wallis to send a part of his forces to his aid. His lordship, 
after complying with this requisition, retreated to Plymouth. 
La Fayette followed, intending to attack their rear. Perceiving 
this, Lord Corn wallis encamped the greater part of his army 
on the main land, in as compact a manner as possible, and dis- 
played a few troops on the island to the best advantage. 

Every thing indicating it to be a fact. La Fayette concluded 
that the greater part of the British army had encamped on the 
island. He accordingly advanced to reconnoitre the forces on 
main land. Perceiving the British much more numerous than 
he had expected, he ordered a retreat. But Gen. Wayne had 
already engaged the enemy. 

A piece of artillery had been left but weakly defended, which 
W^ayne determined to seize, and detached Maj. Galvan for that 
purpose. Scarcely was the attempt made, when he discovered 
the whole army arrangx^d in order of battle moving out against 
him. A retreat was consequently impossible, and the boldest 
became the safest measure. A warm action ensued, and was 
kept up for some minutes ; when La Fayette coming up, and 
perceiving Wayne to be out Sanked both on the right and left, 



464 AN AMERICAN FIELD OF MARS. 

ordered him to retreat and form in a line about half a mile ni 
the rear ; after which the whole American force saved itself he- 
hind a morass. 

CornwaUis, from the boldness of the measure suspectin^j an 
ambuscade, would admit of no pursuit; but crossed over to the 
island, and soon afterwards proceeded to Portsmouth. 

The Americans had one hundred and eighteen in killed, 
wounded and prisoners, and the British about seventy-seven in 
killed and wounded. 

All operations were for a time suspended, and the harassed 
army of ha. Fayette was permitted to repose. 



